Sun protection for kids

What kind of damage does sun exposure cause?

There is a certain part of sun’s energy which contains theinvisible ultraviolet light. There are UVA and UVB ultraviolet light rays, andthey are the ones responsible for damaging the skin and causing both invisibleand visible types of injuries. The visible types of damage include sunburns,freckles and tanning. These types of damage may occur after only a few hours ofexposure to sunlight. The invisible damage caused to the skin sometimes may berepaired but in most cases it just builds up until it starts showing in theform of age spots, wrinkles and sometimes even skin cancer. Window glass blocksthe UVB light efficiently but it cannot block the UVA rays.

The most dangerous type of skin cancer is referred to asmelanoma and it is commonly associated with severe types of sunburns. It mayaffect persons of all different age groups, it may occur anywhere on the bodyand it may easily be fatal. If the squamous cell skin cancers do not gettreated in their early stages they can easily spread to the other parts of thebody as well. One should begin with proper sun protection in infancy andcontinue with such practice throughout the entire life.

The "ABCS" of sun protection

AWAY:

Staying away from the most intense sun rays is veryimportant. All outdoor activities and play times should always take placebefore 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. because that is the period in which the sun’senergy is the greatest. Sun exposure is greater in the summer and the damagingeffects may be increased by being reflected from sand, snow or water.

BLOCK:

The damage caused by the harmful sunlight needs to beblocked by applying UVB and UVA sunscreen lotions and gel which have an SPF of30 or even higher. The sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours. The SPFnumber indicates the amount of time which can be spent in the sun withoutgetting burned. The sunscreen should beapplied to all the exposed areas of the skin, usually 30 minutes before theactual exposure begins. Invisible sunscreens trap the ultraviolet energy whilethe opaque and colored ones prevent the light from even entering the skin.

COVER UP:

Light colored clothing and hats need to be used for coveringup when spending time outdoors. Sunglasses can be used to protect the eyelidsand the eyes from the ultraviolet rays.

SPEAK OUT:

It is very important to speak out and teach the other how toprotect themselves from sun damage properly.