Sunscreen should be used on babies from 6 months of age, as it is very important to protect fragile skin from aggressive sun rays, which can cause serious problems, such as burns or skin cancer. Babies who are most at risk for sun damage are those with blond or red hair, light eyes, and fair skin.
Some tips for buying the best child protector include:
- Prefer a specific formula for babies from trusted children’s product brands
- Choose a waterproof formulaas it stays on the skin longer;
- Give preference to formulas with titanium dioxide or zinc oxideas they are ingredients that are not absorbed, reducing the risk of allergies;
- Choose a protector with an SPF greater than 30 and against UVA and UVB rays;
- Avoid sunscreens with insect repellentsbecause they increase the risk of allergies.
It is not recommended to use it before 6 months of age because most sunscreens contain chemicals that can irritate the skin and, therefore, if used in excess, can cause a serious allergic reaction.
Therefore, before applying any type of sunscreen to your baby’s skin, it is important to consult your pediatrician and then test the product on a small area of the skin to see if any changes appear over the next 48 hours. This test must be done whenever a product is changed. See what to do in case of an allergic reaction to sunscreen.
In addition to knowing how to choose the best protector, it is also important not to forget to dress your baby appropriately to protect as much skin as possible, without overdoing it with layers of clothing, as these can greatly increase body temperature.
The exposure time should be in the early morning and late afternoon, avoiding the hours between 10 am and 4 pm, where the sun’s rays are most intense.
How to apply sunscreen
Depending on the baby’s age, there are different precautions when going to the beach or applying sunscreen:
1. Up to 6 months
Up to 6 months, it is recommended to avoid sun exposure for the baby and, therefore, the sunscreen does not need to be used either. The baby should not be exposed directly to the sun, nor on the beach sand, nor under the umbrella, as the sun can still penetrate the fabric and harm the baby.
In everyday life, if you need to go out on the street, to go to an appointment, for example, the ideal is to wear light-colored clothes and cover your face with sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat.
2. More than 6 months
Use plenty of sunscreen, applying it all over the body to prevent the baby from exposing unprotected areas while playing on the beach, for example. The protector should be reapplied every 2 hours, even if the baby does not go in the water, because perspiration also removes the cream.
3. At all ages
The protector should be applied to the skin approximately 30 minutes before sun exposure to ensure complete protection from the first minute. Furthermore, it is important to apply the protector to the entire skin of your face, even around the eyes.
Sunscreen should be used every day, even during winter, as the sun’s rays can always damage the skin.
Watch the following video and clarify all your doubts about sunscreen:
