Protecting Your Child's Skin This Summer
- Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in the U.S. and exposure to the sun increases skin cancer risk.
- “All children regardless of age need sun protection,” dermatologist Dr. Cecilia Larocca tells SurvivorNet.
- When selecting a sunscreen for your kids, review the ingredients in the product, our experts say instead of focusing on the brand name.
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Tips for Children & Sunscreen
All children regardless of age need sun protection, dermatologist Dr. Cecilia Larocca of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital tells SurvivorNet.“They are much more sensitive to the sun than adults and it is the sun damage from childhood that contributes the greatest risk to the development of skin cancer in adulthood,” she says. “In infants age 6 months or younger I would limit the use of sunscreen and use sun-protective clothing, coverings, hats and seek shade.”
In infants age 6 months or younger I would limit the use of sunscreen and use sun-protective clothing, coverings, hats and seek shade.
For older children, Dr. Larocca recommends using a broad-spectrum physical sunscreen which contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, at least SPF 30 or greater.
“It is important to re-apply every 2 hours when outside,” she says. “Use of sprays are tempting but difficult to use appropriately and tend to contain more chemicals.”
Use caution when applying sunscreen around the eyes.
Dr. Larocca says that while there is no clear data to suggest that chemical sunscreen is unsafe for children, more research needs to be done.
“Therefore, as children have more sensitive skin and have greater systemic absorption of chemicals applied on the skin, I would stick to the use of physical sunscreens. Use caution when applying sunscreen around the eyes,” Dr. Larocca says.
Dr. Sophie J Balk, attending pediatrician at Children's Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center, tells SurvivorNet that infants should stay out of the sun. "Whenever possible, babies under six months old should avoid the sun because their skin can sunburn more easily as it's more delicate and thinner than the skin of older children and adults,” she says.
“If you cannot avoid the sun, the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) recommends that sunscreen may be applied to babies under six months old, but only to the areas of skin not covered by clothing and hats,” says Dr. Balk. “Regardless of their age, typically mineral sunscreen is most preferred. That said, if you don't have mineral sunscreen, it's vital to use any sunscreen than none at all because sunburns increase the risk for skin cancer later in life."
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How to Choose a Sunscreen
When it comes to actually selecting a sunscreen, there are a few factors to take into account, says Dr. Snehal Amin, a Dermatologic Surgeon at Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery. “There are a lot of brands of sunscreens and it makes it hard to choose which product to use,” he says. “My recommendation is really focus on the ingredients rather than the brands.”
When I’m using sunscreens on my younger kids, I recommend Neutrogena Free and Clear Stick, which is a zinc and titanium-based sunscreen. It doesn’t have chemical sunscreens.
“If you like the way the brand feels on your skin,” says Dr. Amin, “if you like the purpose of the brand– for instance, sport versus daily use or daytime use versus a short burst of activity use– I think those are more important factors than actual brands. When I’m using sunscreens on my younger kids, I recommend Neutrogena Free and Clear Stick, which is a zinc and titanium-based sunscreen. It doesn’t have chemical sunscreens.”
“It’s a little greasier, but my kids tend not to mind that particular aspect of the sunscreen,” says Dr. Amin. “If I’m doing a sports activity outside– for instance, surfing or kite surfing– I make sure that I use a sports-based sunscreen, and there’s a lot of sports-based sunscreens that I could mention.”
Mineral-based sunscreens that contain either zinc or titanium oxide are commonly recommended [for kids].
Dr. Brandon Cohen, a dermatologist at Cedars-Sinai, says of picking out a kid-safe sunscreen, "There are sunscreens that are safe for children and even babies, and most dermatologists and the FDA officially recommend such treatment in this age group. Mineral-based sunscreens that contain either zinc or titanium oxide are commonly recommended."
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