Tips should help keep summer sunburn-free
By: Katherine Heine

A person has received 80 percent of her lifetime sun exposure by the time she snuffs out 18 candles atop a birthday cake. The statistic highlights the need for parents to apply sunscreen on their children and teach young ones sunburn prevention methods. Smart habits learned at a young age will stick with your kids throughout the years.

Review these tips for a sunburn-free summer.

SPF stands for sun protection factor. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends people apply at least an SPF 15 sunscreen. When using an SPF 15 sunscreen, a fair-skinned person who normally sunburns in 20 minutes of midday sun exposure may tolerate 15 times 20 minutes (300 minutes) without burning. The Food and Drug Administration ruled in 1999 to institute the labeling of SPF 30+ for sunscreens offering more protection. This was done to discourage companies making unrealistic claims about the level of protection offered e.g. “all day protection,” and because an SPF over 30 does not provide significantly better protection.

Schedule outdoor activities for before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. It takes only 15 minutes for a fair-skinned person to burn in the midday sun. T-shirts offer limited protection: Although a T-shirt might seem like a logical approach to blocking the sun’s harmful rays, the fabric provides the equivalent of an SPF 4 sunscreen.

Use a broad-spectrum UVA and UVB sunscreen lotion, gel or sun stick with an SPF 15 or higher.
Reapply every two hours (even on cloudy days), or more often if engaging in physical activities or swimming.

The American Academy of Pediatrics says it is safe to put sunscreen on children younger than 6 months.

Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before heading outdoors.

Traditional sunscreens, with their chemical smells and skin irritants, used to be the bane of pool-going kids. Today, sunscreen manufacturers produce formulas that incorporate fruity summer scents and bold colors. Check out the latest long-lasting, waterproof and sweat-proof versions that come in easy-application spray bottles and wipes designed for kids.