Taking care of your baby in the sun with suitable protection
Dr. Valleteau de Moulliac,
Consulting Pediatrician for Laboratoires Sarbec
A baby’s skin does not have the necessary elements to protect itself from the sun: melanocytes, whose role this is, only appear later. In addition, each individual is born with a “sun capital”: this is the maximum exposure time they are allowed for their entire life. Thus, depending on skin type (phototype), the risks of burns (sunburn), as well as premature skin aging and cancer, are very different. That is why you must do everything to protect your child’s unique sun capital.
There are a few simple rules:
- Never expose your baby directly to the sun until the age of 3, even on cloudy days, and beware of reflection
- For older children, avoid sun exposure during the hottest hours, between 12pm and 4pm, and favor activities in the shade or naptime
- Clothing protection is essential, and don’t forget a wide-brimmed hat covering the face, neck, and nape, as well as wraparound sunglasses suitable for your baby’s size.
- You should also protect exposed skin with cosmetics suitable for children, of which there are many brands on the market. These are sun protection products (SPPs) that contain chemical filters and/or mineral screens to prevent UVA and especially UVB from penetrating the skin.
- Choose a specific formulation for children that is well tolerated (hypoallergenic and non-toxic), water and sweat resistant (long-lasting), and photostable
- From age 3, a mixed SPP (chemical filter/mineral screens) is preferable
- Before ages 5-7, use a very high protection SPP (SPF 50+) applied to all exposed areas, not forgetting the nape, ears, and tops of the feet, 15 to 30 minutes before exposure, then 15 to 30 minutes after exposure begins, and then reapplied every 2 hours or after swimming for older children
- After age 7, choose an SPP with a protection factor that depends on the phototype (skin type) and the intensity of sunlight, which is increasingly indicated by the media
- Cream is recommended for the face, milk or spray for the body, and a stick for the lips or nose
- But be careful: do not increase the duration of sun exposure just because you have applied an SPP, and do not reduce either the amount or frequency of application, even if you use an SPP with a very high protection factor.
The sun can be an enemy… protect your baby’s skin!
No sun exposure before age 3.
