Infant Sunscreen | Infant Illnesses

Benefits of Infant Sunscreen

It is understandable that many people are envious of baby skin that is smooth, soft and delicate; attributes that make using infant sunscreen so vital to a baby’s health. This sensitive, fragile skin is susceptible to any exposure to the sun, and the future health of the child could be at stake it is not adequately protected.

Although skin is a continuously evolving organ, many medical professionals believe that sunburn damage is collective throughout an individual’s lifetime. It is thought that the biggest impact happens in the younger years, while the skin is virtually flawless and susceptible to external forces such as the sun. While sunlight is a valuable resource in helping the human body to produce Vitamin D, too much can prove to be deadly.

How much is too much?

There is great debate on whether or not there is any amount of direct sunlight that is healthy, especially for babies. Because incidence of skin cancer among Americans has risen to include nearly one of every five individuals, increasing evidence of the damage that the sun can afford the skin is indisputable. In addition, given the fact that approximately 80% of the exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays is obtained by the time an individual reaches 18 years of age, a child’s risk of developing melanoma is calculated to be 1 in 23 as they reach adulthood. Limiting the amount of time that infants are exposed to direct sunlight is always recommended, but using infant sunscreen at all times is even more strongly endorsed.

Choosing a Sunscreen

Most parents know that the use of sunscreen is important; what they often do not know is what type of sunscreen is best for use on infants. Not surprising, considering the wide variety of sunscreens available on the market nowadays. There are some guidelines to follow when deciding on a sunscreen that will be used on babies, however:

Choose a sunscreen that does not list benzophenone-3 or oxybenzone in its ingredients, as these are too harsh for a baby’s sensitive skin.
Choose a sunscreen that is either water resistant or waterproof. These will afford the most durable protection during perspiration and water play.
Check the list of ingredients; those containing zinc oxide provide effective, safe protection that is non-irritating to tender baby skin. Once you ensure zinc oxide is an ingredient, make sure that at least 5% to 6% has been added. Lesser amounts do not offer adequate protection.
SPF-30 is the ideal UVB protection for an infant sunscreen. Although higher SPFs will be found on store shelves, the additional protection afforded is actually quite minimal and can possible be an irritant to delicate skin.

While the use of sunscreen is important, pediatricians advise using small amounts of sunscreen on babies under the age of 6 months, and then only on skin that is not covered with clothing. Using sunscreen along with the additional defense of a wide brimmed hat and loose, breathable clothing when in the sun will keep your baby better protected. In addition, it is wise for any individual to avoid exposure to direct sunlight between 10am and 4pm when the sun is at its greatest strength straight overhead; this is even more crucial for infants.

Every adult wishes to have baby soft skin again; smooth, clear and tender. Although skin is continuously producing new cells, we never again have that beautiful tone. However, parents can help their child retain the healthy quality of their skin longer and give them a great head start for healthy, glowing skin for their adulthood by making the use of infant sunscreen a habit for their child.