At what age is it safe to put sunscreen on a baby?
Your
baby's skin is sensitive and can easily absorb too many chemicals, so
avoid sunscreens before the baby is 6 months of age, except those with
zinc oxide as the only active ingredient, and use on small areas of her
body. Use clothing plus shade as the primary method of protection.
Provide additional protection by keeping her out of the sun as much as
possible: take walks before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., when UVB rays
aren't as intense; use a stroller canopy; dress her in lightweight
clothing that covers her arms and legs; and choose a wide-brimmed hat or
bonnet that covers her face, ears, and neck.
How much sunscreen should I use on my child? How often should I reapply it?
The
Skin Cancer Foundation (skincancer.org) recommends that adults use at
least an ounce (that's a shot glass) of sunscreen, but there's no set
amount for growing children. The important thing is to cover all exposed
areas (especially easily overlooked places like ears, tops of feet,
backs of knees, and hands) 30 minutes before your child heads outside so
her skin has time to absorb it. Reapply at least every two hours, more
frequently if she's swimming, playing in water, or sweating.
Do certain products work better on certain body parts?
Sunscreen
lotions, gels, creams, and sprays all provide good protection from the
neck down. "It's really a matter of which one is easiest to put on your
child," Dr. Leachman says. There's less chance of sunscreen sticks
getting into a child's eyes, so they're great for foreheads, noses,
cheeks, chins, and even ears, but use only sunscreen sticks with
components that include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. A lip balm with
an SPF is also recommended. Ultimately, though, Dr. Leachman says "the
best sunscreen," is clothing (especially with SPF protection), followed
by the lotions, gels, creams, and sticks.
