Taking care of your child’s skin in the summer can require a little thought and effort but it’s also very important. Once the weather starts to warm up, kids love playing outside as much as possible. And they should!
As a parent, I worry about skin damage. When I was 12, I had 2nd degree burns on my shoulders because I was young and dumb and didn’t use sunscreen on my shoulders! This led to a miserable summer where I couldn’t be in the sun. Add on top of that, the fact that it hurt…a lot!
Protecting them from sunburn and injury, takes a few minutes and a little planning ahead. But these steps can help ensure that summer is long and fun for everyone!
Always Apply Sunscreen!
Find a sunscreen that works best for your child and use it…always! Reapply as often and as much as the instruction say to use. In most cases, you should apply an ounce of sunscreen every couple of hours when playing outside. It’s important to reapply! One coat in the morning will not last them the entire day. You also need to factor in sweating and water play.
Cover up.
In addition to applying sunscreen, make sure you cover as much as your child’s skin as possible. Look for for children’s clothing options that include Nanotex® like these twill shorts and polo shirt from Gymboree. Nanotex uses nanotechnology to transform the molecular structure of fibers, creating fabrics that can offer stain, soil and odor resistance, while preserving the natural breathability, comfort, hand and durability of apparel textiles. Nanotex clothing continues to look great wear after wear and is protected from grass stains, grape juice spills and mud puddle splashes. Nanotex clothing is available at more than 100 leading brands including Target, GAP, Gymboree, Land’s End, Kohl’s, Adidas and more.
Use Hair Sunscreen to Protect the Scalp
This is one that I have never really thought about but it makes total sense! Find a spray suncreen that is especially for hair. Apply to protect the scalp from getting dried out. Hair offers some protection to the sun but many kids end up wtih sunburnt scalps during the summer.
Wear a Hat.
Another way to protect the scalp is by wearing a hat. Not only will it protect their scalps but it will also provide some shade as well. If your child fights you on wearing a hat, try taking them to pick one out for themselves!
Beat the Heat between 10 am and 2 pm.
The hours between 10 am and 2 pm are when the sun is the hottest and most likely to cause damage. Use this time for lunch and even a nap!
Cool Down Showers and Baths
During the summer, give cooler baths and showers to avoid more skin damage. Not only will this help the skin but it will also feel great and help keep the kids refreshed.
Stay hydrated and Eat Lots of Fruit!
Drinking lots of water is one of the best things you can do for your child’s skin! Skip the juice and give them plenty of hydrating water to drink throughout the day. Fruit is great summertime snack that is hydrating on those hot summer days. Fruit like watermelon and other melons are the best for hydrating.
Children can’t make good choices for themselves regarding the summer sun or even understand about skin care until you teach them! As their parent, you can guide them so that their skin is always cared for, comfortable, and remains undamaged for years to come. Teaching your children these things now will pay off far into the future!
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Great tips, Steph! My kids reminded me this weekend that I need to get out the suntan lotion. Of course, I need fresh bottles since we used up last year’s purchase.
Great ideas! I love the advice about using fruit to rehydrate!