Why is it important to protect baby’s sensitive skin from the sun? What is their sun capital?
Dr. Valleteau de Moulliac,
Consulting pediatrician for Laboratoires Sarbec
It is important to know that a baby’s skin does not have the necessary elements to protect itself from the sun: the melanocytes responsible for this role only appear later.
In addition, each individual is born with a “sun capital”: this is the maximum exposure time allowed over a lifetime, which ranges from 50,000 hours for people with fair skin to 150,000 hours for those with darker or colored skin. Thus, depending on the skin type (phototype), the risks of sunburn, as well as premature skin aging and cancer, are very different.
Yet children are increasingly exposed to the sun, and at an earlier age. However, not all children are equal when it comes to the sun. That’s why you must do everything you can to protect your child’s unique sun capital.
Golden rules :
- A child under 3 years old should never be directly exposed to the sun, even on cloudy days (UV rays pass through clouds and even parasols). You should also beware of reflection: water, sand, snow, altitude, swimming, etc.
- Protective clothing is essential (there are more and more suitable garments, dark, made with specific anti-UVA fabrics), put a wide-brimmed hat on your child covering the face, neck, and nape, and wraparound sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection adapted to your baby’s size.
- You should also protect exposed skin with suitable cosmetics, of which there are many brands on the market. Your doctor will advise you. But whatever their form, they must protect against UVA and UVB, have a high protection factor, be hypoallergenic, water- and sweat-resistant. They must be reapplied often.
That said, never expose your baby directly to the sun until the age of 3, rigorously protect their skin, even if the exposure is indirect (reflection), and for this, among other things, carefully consider your choice of holiday destination.
