10 Tips for Safe Fun in the Sun & Sunscreen Use

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With summer in full-swing, sunscreen is a hot topic at the moment and I’ve been hearing that a lot of parents have trouble applying sunscreen on their kids. Is this something you can relate to? Personally, I guess I’m pretty lucky that I’ve never had any issues with my kids – they pretty much just stand there while either my husband or I apply sunscreen all over their body. From lotion to spray sunscreen, they don’t fuss – yay! But, I can certainly sympathize with any parent whose children don’t like to be messed with, as all we want is to protect our babies from the sun!

Regardless of which type of sunscreen you prefer, did you know that sunscreen labels have recently changed? As of last December, new labels went into effect that should have more information to help us choose the right sunscreen and practice sun safety. You can read more information about the sunscreen label changes on the FDA site, but here are a few sun safety tips that OTCSafety.org wants to be sure all parents know.

10 Tips for Safe Fun in the Sun & Sunscreen Use

1. Look for broad spectrum sunscreen – it protects from both UVA and UVB radiation
2. Use sunscreen daily, even when it’s overcast
3. Use the right amount of sunscreen – at least 1 oz (2 tablespoons)
4. Limit your sun exposure in general – no sunscreen will provide all-day protection
5. Apply sunscreen generously and reapply frequently – at least every 2 hours
6. SPF 30 is ideal for daily use
7. New sunscreen labels now indicate sunscreen is water-resistant, not waterproof
8. New sunscreen labels also include the length of time the sunscreen remains effective after exposure to water or sweat
9. Keep babies out of direct sunlight
10. Everyone needs sun protection

I know that’s a lot to remember, but I think the key is to remember to apply sunscreen regularly (not just on beach trips), reapply throughout the day, read sunscreen labels to be sure you’re getting the most protection you can, and respect the sun. Oh, and one more thing – don’t forget yourself! As parents, we tend to worry so much about our children that we forget to care for ourselves. But, using sunscreen on a regular basis has been shown to slow (and even reverse) the signs of aging!

Do you apply sunscreen (either on yourself or the kids) every day?

Disclosure: As part of the CHPA educational foundation’s OTC Safety Ambassador program, I received compensation for my time and efforts in creating this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Photo: Petrov Escarião/Flickr