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It’s essential to keep infants out of direct sunlight and ensure they are well protected. Is it safe to use sunscreen on a young child, and at what age can you start?
Baby skin is incredibly sensitive to sunlight. Beyond just sunburn, there’s a risk of sun allergy, dehydration, and heatstroke. Baby skin is thinner and more vulnerable than adult skin due to its immaturity. This makes it more permeable to chemicals and UV rays until about the age of 3 years. It’s also well-known that sunburns obtained during childhood significantly increase the risk of developing skin cancer later in life.
“Babies under 36 months should not be exposed to the sun at all, as their skin cannot adequately protect itself against ultraviolet rays,” warns Dr. Annabel Maruani, head of pediatric dermatology and coordinator at the Center for Rare Skin Diseases in Tours. This is partly because their melanin production is lower than in adults, making their skin extremely vulnerable to ultraviolet rays. Similarly, their skin produces less sebum, which means it dries out more quickly.
So, how can you protect your baby, what kind of sunscreen is appropriate, and at what age? “There is no sunscreen to be applied to toddlers since they shouldn’t be exposed to UV rays. When taking them out for a walk and the sun is out, we make sure to stay in shaded areas and ensure they are always covered. This includes wearing a hat, sunglasses, clothing, and using covers on the stroller because UV rays always find a way in,” argues the pediatric dermatologist.
However, if sun exposure is truly unavoidable, the best sunscreens for children under 2 years old are those without chemical filters and that contain mineral barriers. Examples include Alga Maris Baby and Child SPF 50+ sunscreen by Laboratoires de Biarritz, BIODERMA Photoderm Pediatrics Mineral SPF 50+ Multi-Resistant Sunscreen, and Uriage Baby 1st Mineral Sunscreen SPF50+ 50ml.
Indeed, traditional sunscreen filters can be potentially allergenic and slightly endocrine disruptive. “After 6 months, if exposure is unavoidable, it’s possible to use a sunscreen containing a mineral barrier in addition to a hat, sunglasses, and light clothing that covers the child’s body,” she continues. Finally, even though it’s recommended to avoid the sun as much as possible, it’s feasible to apply sunscreen to a baby every two hours. It’s also wise to avoid the hottest parts of the day (between 11 AM and 4 PM).
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