The Sun Guide
Sun Protection—
An Ever-Increasing Responsibility

• Sun Protection Primer
• Protective Sun Barriers
• Sunscreen Lotions

Each day, we learn more of the dangers of sun exposure. It’s up to parents to teach our children good sun safety habits to ensure their safety when they become adults.

Sun Protection Primer

• Establish good, consitent sun-awareness habits.
• Limit outdoor activities between 10 AM and 4 PM, when the sun’s rays have the greatest strength.
• Powerful UV rays can penetrate clouds and fog, presenting the same dangers as on clear days.
• Sand, snow and water reflect significant UVA and UVB rays, increasing likelihood of sunburn. Don’t rely on umbrellas for protection - UV rays reflect underneath. Higher altitudes mean increased exposure to UVB rays.

Protective Sun Barriers

• The most important step in preventing sunburn is to limit direct sun by staying in the shade and by using protective fabric barriers.
• Pediatricians recommend that infants under six months of age should not use sunscreen lotions. Newborns require consistent use of sun barriers.
• UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) is the textile industry's rating for a fabrics' ability to filter damaging UV rays. The highest UPF rating is 50+, set by American Association of Textiles standards based on New Zealand and Australian, leaders in proactive sun protection. Fabric used as a sun barrier should have a high UPF rating. (T-shirts, with UPF ratings of 7 - 8, allow a child to sunburn through clothing.)
• Use The Baby Shade Stroller Cover (UPF 50+) when taking walks with your infant. Used properly, it filters out over 99% of damaging UV rays. The Baby Shade allows you to conveniently adjust the shade panels, while allowing clear visibility through the mesh window. Keep The Baby Shade with your stroller, available at all times.
• When playing outdoors, infants and children should wear hats with wide brims or protective flaps. Begin in infancy to ensure your child's comfort and familiarity with hats.
• Temperature permitting, dress your child in long sleeves and long pants to protect arms and legs.
• Light colored, loose fitting clothing can help prevent overheating in hot weather. Tightly woven fabrics are most effective at preventing UV ray penetration.
• Children need sunglasses to reduce sun glare and potential eye damage. Buy sunglasses that provide 99% or 100% UVA and UVB protection. Infants and young children should be taught that sunglasses are not toys. Adults should supervise, helping to put them on and off.

Sunscreen Lotions

• Infants are at high risk of complications due to sunburns. Sunburns are difficult to detect before damage is done-don't wait for a child's skin to turn pink. Children over six months should wear sunscreen when playing in the sun. Sunscreen should be applied before going outdoors so that it can penetrate the skin for maximum protection.
• SPF (Sun Protection Factor) ratings refer to how many times longer your child can stay in the sun before burning. To be safe, apply sunscreen of at least SPF 15, and limit your child's exposure to no more than 1 hour in full sun at a time.
• Children/infant sunscreens are generally Paba-free and hypoallergenic-gentler to sensitive skin. Test by applying to a small area of your child's skin. If redness or rash develops, try another sunscreen. Infant sunscreens work as well for adult skin, so the entire family should slather up together.
• Apply sunscreens according to manufacturer's instructions. Reapply frequently, especially if children are engaged in active play or are swimming.
• Use care when applying sunscreens to a child's face. If eye contact occurs, follow instructions on the manufacturer's label. If your child will be swimming or sweating, thinner applications applied more frequently will help prevent the sunscreen from dripping into eyes.

What Scientists and Doctors Now Know

Over 80% of solar damage occurs in the first 18 years of life.

90% of all skin cancer is caused by the sun.

One bad sunburn as a child can double the chance of developing skin cancer later in life.

Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. With early detection, there is a greater than 95% cure rate.

Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. It can spread to other organs, fatally if not detected and treated early.

The lifetime risk of developing Melanoma is now about 1 in 90.

Skin cancer takes on many appearances. Talk with your doctor about what to look for in self exams.