SUN FUN! ( article for Thelocalshopper.com)

SUN FUN!

By Stephanie B. Hayes

Adam & I in hot and sunny Las Vegas

When I was a kid, the sun was not considered as a dangerous thing for you.  Sunscreen was optional and I remember the coconut scent oil to help you having a better and darker tan. Times have change and now we know that a too long exposure in the sun is dangerous for your skin. I have pictures of myself when I was baby at the beach with a very dark tan. I already a have a fairly dark olive skin, but every summer I used to turned very dark brown. Today with my son, I never let him go outside on a hot sunny day without a good layer of SPF 70 sunscreen, a big hat and one of these UPF shirts, the complete opposite of me at his age. Since doctors and researchers have proven than the sun can give you skin cancer if you don't protect yourself and especially children, because their skin is more sensitive. A lot of companies have created a lot a fun and very useful products to help protect your kids while playing outside in the sun. We all know it can be very hard, even impossible to keep your children inside all day, all summer, because of the sun. Well, I know I can’t.  I am personally a big fan of the UPF/SPF protection shirt and the swimwear.  Not only you don’t have to apply a big amount of oily lotion on your kid’s body, the UPF reduce the amount of UV radiation that can reach the skin. If you can’t get this type of clothing, I recommend a dark, preferably long sleeve shirt. The easiest way to test if a fabric can protect your kid’s skin (and yours) is to hold it up to the light. If you can see through it, then UV radiation can penetrate it and your skin. Choose a hat that offers a wide-brimmed to help protect your child face, neck, scalp and ears. When it comes to sunscreen, the higher the number of SPF protection, the greater the protection is. For a child, use a sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30. Also try to use one that has broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection. Don’t forget to check the expiration date on you bottle and discard if expired. You should not use the same bottle for more than 2 summers. I know, it’s not always possible, but it is very important to apply the sunscreen 30 minutes before going out in the sun. Reapply it every 2 hours of sun exposure and after bathing, even if you use waterproof sunscreen.

 According to one US study, 54 percent of children are burned or tanned in their second summer and 22 percent are burned in their first. Did you know that just one blistering sunburn in childhood more than doubles your chances of developing melanoma later in life? Find a play area that provides a lot of shade, like under a tree or use an umbrella. Don’t forget, babies less than 6 months old should not be exposed to direct sunlight. After you follow these tips, it’s time to go play outside. The park is always a fun place to go and explore with your little ones. For the most adventurous, I recommend Mountain Park, where you can hike on the Nuooah Nature Trail that loops around the mountain. The farmer’s market downtown is another great place to bring your kids at the end of the after-noon, when the sun UV rays are less dangerous. The new bike path around the town is also a great way to enjoy the outside and exercise at the same time for the whole family. If you would like to know more about what type of sunscreen to use for your child skin and more tips on how to let them play outside with a free conscience, you should visit these 2 web sites www.my-skincheck.com and www.skincancer.org. Have a great sunburn free summer!