We all can recall summertime and all of the hours we spent outside. Sunburns were a common problem, and our mothers constantly fussed over us and simply put some moisturizer onto our peeling skin before we ran outside again to play. Of course these days with the fear of skin cancer and the greater number of indoor activities that are available have sent many kids indoors, however, with the advent of sun protective clothing the outdoors is calling once again. It is up to parents to ensure that children have the proper protection against the sun.
The UVR, or ultraviolet radiation, sent from the sun happens every moment of every day without being seen or felt. The radiation is still getting through our atmosphere during the winter and on cloudy days. UVR is the strongest between 10 am and 2 pm every day because that’s when the sun’s rays have the least amount of space to travel through. Kids’ skin is thinner and more delicate than adults’ skin, which makes children more prone to having permanent sun damage.
A sun tan is actually the skin’s attempt to protect itself against overexposure to the sun. When the skin starts to peel, then you know that it is severely injured. Research has shown that just one severe sunburn during childhood actually can double the risk of getting skin cancer during adulthood. This is why sun protective measures are so important.
The first step to protecting your children from UVR is to keep them indoors before, during, and after the noon hour, which is when the sun is at its strongest. When children are outside, they should be wearing sun protective swimwear and clothing, which block over 98 percent of the sun’s harmful UVR. Also be sure to include wide-brimmed hats or caps, broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least 30 SPF, and a pair of sunglasses with an EPF of 10. For playtime in the water, choose sun protective kids swimwear to ensure total protection against the sun.
All parents should take care to teach their children about the importance of taking sun protective measures. A day outside means plenty of sunlight, but skin cancer doesn’t even have to be a thought if you have the proper sun protection measures in place. Education is the first step toward protection, and your children may not appreciate your efforts right now, but they will down the road when they are free of skin cancer.
Sally Michael has been actively designing kids swimwear for more than 14 years. Her goal is to raise the general awareness of the sun exposure and its effect on children's skin. Her active promotion of sun safety worldwide is centred around gorgeous collections of sun protective swimwear for babies, toddlers and children.
