seasonal sunburn prevention for parents, tips for winter months and warmer months

Seasonal Sunburn Prevention

Warmer Months

“Here comes the sun, little darling,” says the classic song. Summer months can be dangerous in terms of sun damage. Even though the ozone layer provides us with some level of UV protection, the rest depends entirely on us. It is important for parents of children and babies to let their young ones enjoy themselves safely under the sun so that they can get enough vitamin D. Sunburn in childhood will increase the chances of developing skin cancer later on in life. (Skin Cancer Foundation)

Shop Boys > Shop Girls >

Wearing sun protective clothing can be a natural way of protecting your skin without unnecessary harsh chemicals.

Protect Your Children From Windburn

In the cold winter months there is an unpleasant skin condition known as windburn. My oldest son gets a severe form of windburn around his mouth and on his hands. I remember midnight trips to the store to buy ointments to ease the severe pain he was suffering. As with sunburn, windburn can leave your skin red, raw and blistered. A severe windburn might even peel like sunburn.

We now have learned to treat and prevent windburn altogether. Since the chemical ones will leave a burning sensation on the skin, we use natural moisturizer. We have tried pure Shea/Cocoa butter, natural petroleum jelly and pure Vitamin E moisturizers, as well as natural unscented and chemical-free lip balms. Of course, remember to bundle up. It is important to remember that the face is extremely susceptible to windburn.

.TIP Put a lip balm or swivel stick moisturizer in your child’s pocket so it will be handy in case you are not close by.

         Winter Months

         High Altitude Risk
     Elevation & Reflection by Snow

UV Index forecasts now take into account elevation and reflection by snow since these two factors can enhance UV levels. People associate sunburn with heat, but that’s a myth. You can get sunburn even when it is cold.

The higher the elevation the stronger the UV rays because the air is clearer and thinner. Additionally, in terms of reflection by snow, the brighter the surface you are on, the more UV it reflects back onto your skin. Snow is highly reflective (up to 80%). Expect a higher UV level on sunny days with snow on the ground

What You Should Do

The most common way in which parents protect their children against the sun is with a big bottle of sunscreen. Choose the sunscreen carefully, and please read our information and market research about sunscreens and how to pick the right kind of sunscreen for you. Also, we are firm believers in sun protective clothing rather than chemical protection. Our research and studies show that sun protective clothing protects us better by far. Wearing a hat, sun glasses and, of course, seeking shade are some of the best ways to embrace the sun safely and enjoy the great outdoors!

TIP It can be challenging for your children to wear a hat, so start the habit at an early age. Don’t forget to teach by example. We are the best role models for our children. For more information read our sun safety parents guide. Additionally, always remind your children of the dangers of indoor tanning.