Natalia Osovalyuk, dermatovenerologist at Dobrobut Medical Center, tells about the peculiarities of their use for children.
Oncologists have noticed that melanoma (skin cancer) occurs 10-20 times more often in adult patients who have received sunburns in childhood. It should also be noted that children who often go to the sea with their parents in the summer develop many moles (melanocytic nevi) on exposed areas of the body: face, shoulders, and back. The number of moles is constantly growing up to the age of 18. Therefore, protecting your child from the sun is a necessary safety measure in the summer.
Sunscreens are products (creams, lotions, oils) that combine several ingredients to help prevent the negative effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun on human skin. The two main types of UV radiation, UVA (ultraviolet A) and UVB (ultraviolet B), cause different types of skin damage:
- UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin than UVB rays and are the main cause of wrinkles, thin skin, and other signs of aging;
- UVB rays cause damage to the upper layers of the skin and sunburn, and can lead to cancer.
Broad-spectrum sunscreens effectively protect against UVA and UVB sunlight.
Types of UV filters
There are two types of UV filters: physical and chemical. Physical UV filters work like a screen, which prevents ultraviolet light from penetrating deeper layers of the skin. Most often, physical filters are chemical compounds crushed to microns (titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, silicone derivatives). Chemical UV filters absorb the energy of the sun's rays and convert it into heat. The most commonly used chemical filters are salicylic acid esters, benzoquinones, and cinomate derivatives.
Degree of protection
All sunscreens have different degrees of protection against UV rays. It is called SPF (Sun Protective Factor) and is indicated by an index from four to one hundred. This index indicates the level of sun protection. The higher it is, the better the protection.
SPF shows how many times we can increase the time we spend in the sun, during which redness (erythema) occurs on the skin under the influence of the rays. The average time spent in the sun without burning (without using sunscreen) is fifteen minutes. For example, SPF 30 will theoretically allow you to stay on the beach without getting burned 30 times longer.
How to choose sunscreen for a child
When choosing sunscreen, you should give preference to products from well-known, trusted manufacturers. However, it is better to avoid creams and emulsions from lesser-known companies, as the quality and effectiveness of these products are often not controlled.
It is recommended to choose a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher. Depending on the baby's skin, it can be a cream, gel, milk, foam, mousse, or spray. Creams have a denser consistency and are suitable for children's skin prone to drying out and flaking. Foam, milk, gel, mousse, spray are lighter products, they are applied evenly to the baby's skin, they are quickly absorbed and do not give a sticky feeling. Lotions and emulsions are liquid products that are most often produced in the form of sprays, which allows for economical consumption and quick application.
When choosing a sunscreen, read the label carefully. Chemical UV filters such as octocrylene can cause adverse allergic reactions on the baby's skin. It is better to give preference to products that are specially designed for children and contain physical UV filters. These are so-called mineral creams with a mixed protection factor (UVB+UVA). They do not contain fragrances, fragrances and parabens that can harm children's skin. In addition, children's sunscreens are subject to mandatory testing by ophthalmologists and pediatricians, and will not burn when they get into the baby's eyes.
Recommendations for the use of sunscreen
The skin of children under the age of six months contains a minimal number of melanocytes (pigment cells) that can prevent the sun's UV damage. At the same time, the chemicals in sunscreens can often cause allergies and contact reactions on the baby's sensitive skin. Therefore, the best way to protect babies from the sun is to stay in the shade and wear clothing that protects them from direct sunlight.
Children over the age of six months should use sunscreen daily. It is also important to remember that sunscreen loses its effectiveness over time, so it is necessary to reapply it every two hours or after swimming.
Sunscreens should be applied thirty minutes before sun exposure to allow the ingredients contained in the product to take effect.
During the period of particularly hot sun (from 10:00 to 16:00), children should stay in the shade. The child should always wear a hat and, if possible, clothing that protects the body from sunlight.
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