Being exposed to solar light can actually bring many benefits to the human body, included that of our kids. The only real restiction is for kids under 3 years of age: they should never be exposed to burning, direct sunlight because their skin still hasn't developed its defense mechanisms. Moreover, sunscreen should not be applied to babies under 6 months of age, so they absolutely must be kept out of the sun whenever possible. If your infant must be in the sun, dress him or her in cotton clothes that covers the body, arms, legs and feet and add a hat with wide brims to shadow the face. To be even safer, get your baby an infant sun protect romper that provide sun protection 50+.

But what are the benefits your family can get from the sun?
Why shouldn't your kids live in a cave, and enjoy the sunlight (waering SPF) instead?

• Sun rays strenghten the immune system: they increase the antibodies in the blood, invigorating the human body and its capacities to fight back infective and viral illnesses (measles, chickenpox, flu, etc.)
  
  
• A little sun can strenghten your bones: being in the sunlight helps your body synthesize Vitamin D, making it easier for your body to absorb calcium (the mineral that build bones) and iron from the foods you eat. This is an extremely important factor for your kids, because it will help them have a better bone growth and it impedes the onset of diseases such as rachitis and osteoporosis.
  15 minutes of daily sun exposure, when possible, are enough for a good production of Vitamin D!
  
  
• Sunlight makes a healthier skin: if well protected, the skin can benefit by sun exposure because it aids the cellular metabolism and the circulation of the blood, which added up make your complexion and tissues more vital.
  
  
• It's been scientifically proved that sunlight has beneficial effects on our mood and it fends off depression and insomnia: it raises the production of some hormones that help us feel better, like melatonin and serononin. Anemic people, too, get the same benefits: sunlight works for them as a supplementary cure, fighting back some typical sympotms of the disease, like cronic fatigue, loss of concentration, indolence.

The clear message from Dermatologists worldwide is that in the USA the antisun crusade has been taken too far: we all do need a daily dose of sunshine to stay healthy and keep our bones strong. You get all these benefits by simply wearing SPF. So just enjoy the sun safely and teach your kids to do it, too. Follow us to discover how....

Sun advice for your kids from the Dermatologist: How to Protect Your Child From the Sun

• Remember that 80% of long-term sun damage occurs before the age of 18, because of the higher photosensitivity of the skin. Growing up the skin gets thicker and it produces protection mechanisms that young skin doesn't have. Be extremely careful when your child is in the sun: a sun burn at young age not only represents and immediate danger, but also a risk for the skin's health in adulthood.
  
  
• It is very important that your child wears good quality sunglasses: they must be able to protect from UVA/UVB rays (UV Sunglasses) to prevent any serious damage to the eyes. Encourage your kids when buying sunglasses so that they will be happy of wearing them, having chosen a style that suits their taste. Let them select a style they particularly like: many manufacturers make fun, multicolored glass frames or frames embossed with cartoon characters.
  Always remember to give the good example and wear sunglasses, too, so that it becomes and implied rule in the family, and not an imposition.
  Wearing sunglasses will also prevent your kids from having cataract when they grow old!
  
  
• Serve your kids more veggies and fresh fruits during warm months. They are rich in minerals and fibers that help your child when a lot of perspiration occurs.
  
  
• Buy your kids sun protective clothing and swimsuits. For example, both Coolibar and Tuga apparel has a UPF rating of 50+ to protect your child from over 97.5% of damaging UV rays. These suits provide excellent protection with fabrics made and tested in Australia -- - the leaders in establishing sun protective standards. And these have style and fun designs to make your kids look their best on the beach, at the lake, or by the pool!
  
  
• Pay attention to your kids' skin after a day at the beach: use specific products to moisturize their skin which had to put up with sunlight, sand, salty water etc. and therefore needs extra care. Wash them with fragrance free, super sensitive bubble bath and don't use fragrances or any other products that contain alcohol.
  
  
• Teach them to use lip balm with sunscreen . This is an extremely sensitive area. Little girls will probably happier to use it, having a chance to imitate mom wearing lipstick, but try to encourage boys to wear lip balm too: make them apply it at least to the lower lip, which is usually more exposed to sunrays that come from the top.
  
  
• Avoid the strongest rays of the day: first of all avoid being in the sun for prolonged times, and try to avoid sun exposure from 11:00 AM until 4:00 PM. If your child is in the sun between these hours, be sure to apply protective sunscreen SPF 40+ even when just playing in the park. Most sun damage occurs as a result of incidental exposure during day-to-day activities, not at the beach.
  
  
• Protect them from the "invisible sun": even on cloudy or cool days, UV rays travel through the clouds and reflect off sand, water, and even concrete. Clouds don't filter out UV rays, and they can give a false sense of protection. Often, kids are unaware that they're developing a sunburn on cooler or windy days because the temperature or breeze keeps skin feeling cool on the surface. Make them wear SPF even on those days if they are staying outside.
  
  
• Buy SPF products especially created for kids, don't use yours on them, too. There are lots of good sunscreens available for kids (look on the left column for out top picks), including formulations for sensitive skin , brands with fun scents like watermelon , long-lasting waterproof and sweat-proof versions , and easy-application varieties in spray bottles or no-fuss sunblock sticks.
  
  
• Parents should encourage their children to:

  Slip on clothes made of a close-weave fabric that covers the neck, arms and legs.
  Slop on a Sun Protection Factor 30+ water resistant sunscreen.
  Slap on a wide brim hat that covers the face, neck and ears.
  
  

• Do not apply sunscreen around a child's eyes as it may sting and burn. Instead, protect the eyes with sunglasses.
  
  
• Apply sunscreen to a child’s body before putting on their bathing suit to avoid burns to the tops of thighs and chest. Pay special attention to the back of the knee and the top of the foot.
  
  
• Look at providing more shade in the form of trees and structures in your children’s play area.
  
  
• Most baby strollers are in a navy blue. This is functional for general use, but it just attracts the hot sun and turns a baby's sanctuary into a sauna. To keep babies cool, line the seating area with a big white terry cloth towel and safety pin it to the seat so it fits snugly. Drape a light-colored scarf over the navy blue/dark material carriage cover as well. The light color won't absorb as much heat. You'd be amazed how much it cuts down on the heat for the little ones and the towel soaks up sweat and can be washed the next day or replaced with a fresh clean towel.

True or false: based on the questions you send us and the "common knowledge" myths we hear around, here is a quick list of sun safety lies. Clinging to wrong myths can be very dangerous. So read on!

• Applying a high SPF or waterproof sunscreen once a day protects my child all day long.

  
  FALSE!

You must reapply SPF several times a day, at least every hour that your child spends in the sun. You must realize s/he moves, swims and plays in the sand much more than you do. All these actions make the SPF fade away quite quickly. Even waterproof SPF products must be reapplied after each swim.

• A wet cotton t-shirt will refresh and protect my child from sun rays when playing on the beach.

  
  FALSE!

A wet t-shirt is not the appropriate solution to protect your child. It is not able to block UV rays, on the contrary it creates a "lens" effect that emphasizes sun rays. Moreover, wet clothing when in contact with skin, can diminish the heat sensation - so it can make one feel "safer" in the sunlight for longer periods. The best choice it to have your kid wearing a dry cotton tee. And if you really want to be on the safe side, add Rit Sun Guard Laundry Treatment UV Protectant to your next laundry: Rit Sun Guard is the first sun protection for skin that you wash into your clothing. The typical t-shirt provides an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of 5, add in Sun Guard and it soars to an UPF of 30! Rit Sun Guard works even if your kid's shirt is wet. It´s safe for the whole family. Recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation.

• If I water my child's hair and head there will be no risk of a sun stroke when playing near the water.
  


FALSE!

Refreshening the child's head with water is a a dangerous habit, even if it looks like you are actually giving them solace: as a matter of fact, the water reflects the sun rays and it raises the risk of getting a sun burn or a sun stroke, especially because the coolness they feel on their heads make them increase the time they stay out in the sun.
The same goes for windy days or boating: you don't feel the heat in those occasions and therefore you can easily get burnt.

• Dark-skinned children, just like dark-skinned adults don't need sunscreen at all.

  
  FALSE!

Every child needs extra sun protection. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that all children, regardless of their skin tone, wear sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Although dark skin has more protective melanin and tans more easily than it burns, dark-skinned children can also develop painful and dangerous sunburns.

Did you know...

• ...50% of lifetime exposure to UV light occurs during childhood and adolescence.
  
• ...It can take less that 10 minutes for a child’s skin to burn.
  
• ...Individuals who suffered severe childhood sunburns are at increased risk for skin cancer.
  
• ...Practicing sun safe behaviors during childhood is the first step in reducing the chances of getting skin cancer later in life.
  
• ...A person born today is twice as likely to develop malignant melanoma as someone born only a decade ago and 12 times as likely as someone born 50 years ago.
• ... On average, children spend 3 times more time in the sun than adults! You must take extra care!
• ...Every sunburn increases a child's chance of getting skin cancer as an adult.

And now, the top 10 rules for parents to protect their kids in the sun:

1. Use sunscreen whenever your child is in the sun.
2. Sunblocks aren't just for use at the beach. Remember to apply sunblock to children before they go outside to play.
3. Don't forget to apply sunscreen to usually forgotten areas like lips, hands, ears, feet, shoulders, and behind the neck.
4. Reapply sunscreen often, approximately every 1 to 2 hours.
5. Reapply if your child is sweating, playing in the sand, xor after swimming.
6. Apply a waterproof sunscreen if your child will be around water or will go swimming. Water reflects and intensifies the sun's rays, so kids need protection that lasts. But, regardless of the label, reapply sunscreen as soon as kids come out of the water.
7. Involve your kids when you prepare the beach bag. Teach them the importance of SPF lotions as well as that of sunglasses and hats.
8. Always give them the good example wearing SPF and protective accessories when going outside.
9. Play the "indians" to apply sunscreen and paint the face, torso etc. as in a game, this way they are more likely to accept this routine.
10. Have your kids take frequent breaks from the sun by going indoors or moving into the shade!