Grow Up Strong -- Prevent Skin Damage
Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun during the first 10 to 30 years of life can significantly increase your child's risk of skin cancer -- especially melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer -- later in life. In fact, approximately 50%-80% of a person's lifetime skin damage happens during childhood.
That's why it's never too early to teach your child the importance of protecting her skin every day, regardless of weather -- even on cloudy or overcast days.
When playing outdoors, have your child:
- Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen (one that contains products to block both UVA and UVB rays).
- Put on a hat and sunglasses.
- Wear skin-protective clothing, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV light is the most intense.
When it comes to play clothes, choose dark-colored fabrics with a tight weave. One quick way to gauge a garment's sun-blocking ability is to hold it up to a light; fabrics that allow little or no light to pass through are your best bet.
Starting basic sun-protection behaviors early and encouraging these safety habits throughout childhood and adolescence greatly reduces the likelihood your child will develop skin cancer down the road. Likewise, failing to take precautions against overexposure to the sun during childhood and adolescence greatly increases the risk of skin cancer as an adult. It also increases the likelihood of painful sunburn, blistering, peeling, and wrinkles. Ouch!
RealAge Projection: Children who get into the habit of limiting sun exposure are likely to stick with this healthy habit as adults. If they do, their RealAge could be 29 when they are actually 32.
