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Protect Your Children from the Sun
It's never too early to save your skin - or your children's - from the sun. The sun produces invisible rays - ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) - that can cause short- and long-term skin damage.
The immediate effects of harmful sun rays - sunburn, photosensitive reactions (rashes), and cell and tissue damage - are bad enough. But medical experts believe that too much exposure to the sun in childhood or adolescence is a major cause of skin cancer and premature skin aging later in life. Health experts also believe that UVA may weaken the immune system.
You can take steps early and often to minimize the sun's harmful effects. Using sunscreens and sun-protective clothing can reduce your children's risk of skin damage later in life. It's important to understand the labeling information on sun protection products and shop carefully before heading to the beach, tennis court or park. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) carefully monitors advertising claims in this area and offers this information to help you make wise purchasing decisions.
Sunscreens
Sunscreens provide some protection by blocking the sun's rays on the skin. They are labeled with a sun protection factor (SPF): the higher the SPF, the greater the protection against harmful sun rays. But no sunscreen totally blocks the sun's rays. Even people wearing high SPF sunscreens get some exposure. To minimize the damage:
Use water-resistant sunscreens that help protect skin from both UVA and UVB rays and that have SPF numbers of at least 15.
Apply sunscreen liberally (at least one large handful) about 30 minutes before going outside. No matter what sunscreen product is used, reapply it after swimming, toweling or any vigorous activity that causes heavy perspiration. Toweling off can remove even water-resistant sunscreens.
Talk with camp counselors and others with child care responsibilities about reapplying sunscreens after children play hard, perspire or swim.
Remember to apply sunscreen to children's skin even when they are under a beach umbrella. The sun's rays can reflect off surrounding concrete or sand.
Sun-protective Clothing
Sun-protective clothing is another way to help protect children from the negative effects of the sun. Sun-protective fabrics differ from typical summer fabrics in several ways. Sun-protective fabrics typically have a tighter weave or knit, and usually are darker in color. And, garments made with these fabrics generally have a label listing the garment's Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) value, that is, the level of protection the garment provides from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. The higher the UPF, the greater the UV protection.
The UPF rating indicates how much of the sun's UV radiation is absorbed by the fabric. For example, a fabric with a UPF rating of 20 allows 1/20th of the sun's UV radiation to pass through it. This means that this fabric will reduce your skin's UV radiation exposure by 20 times where it's protected by the fabric.
Garments with a rating over UPF 50 may be labeled UPF 50+; however, these garments may not offer substantially more protection than those with a UPF of 50. Also, a garment should not be labeled "sun-protective" or "UV-protective" if its UPF is less than 15. In addition, sun-protective clothing may lose its effectiveness if it's too tight or stretched out, damp or wet, and has been washed and worn repeatedly.
Protecting Kids
To help protect children from the sun's damaging effects:
- Remember the sun is strongest from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Schedule children's outdoor activities accordingly.
- Dress children for maximum protection. Hats with brims and tightly woven, long-sleeved shirts and pants offer the best defense. Look for the UPF to ensure sufficient protection.
- Select sunglasses that help screen out both UVA and UVB rays. UV rays may contribute to the development of cataracts. Sunglasses that are close-fitting and have big lenses offer more protection.
- Keep babies younger than six months out of the sun. Sunscreens may irritate baby skin, and an infant's developing eyes are especially vulnerable to sunlight.
- Teenagers who work outside as lifeguards, gardeners or construction workers may be at special risk for skin damage, and need adequate protection before going out in the sun. Try to discourage teens from going to tanning parlors. Like the sun, tanning devices can damage the skin and eyes.
Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in this country. Medical experts are diagnosing it more often than ever, especially in young people. They believe too much sun exposure in the early years may be responsible.
Two types of skin cancer, basal cell and squamous cell, usually are treatable if detected early. Basal cell often develops on the face, ears, lips and around the mouth of fair-skinned people.
Squamous cell usually appears as a scaly patch or raised, wart-like growth. Melanoma, another type of skin cancer, is the most dangerous. It can occur anywhere on the body. Early detection is crucial for successful treatment.
Factors associated with increased risk of developing skin cancer include:
- several blistering sunburns as a child or teenager;
- a family history of skin cancer;
- light-colored skin, hair and eyes; and
- moles that are irregular in shape or color.
Sun-Safety Tips
When at the beach or pool, cover exposed areas with tightly woven clothing and wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your head and face. If you're a parent, protect your children's skin; research indicates that one or more severe, blistering sunburns in childhood or adolescence can double the risk of skin cancer later in life.
Remember that the sun's rays are the strongest from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m, especially during the late spring and summer. Reflected glare from water and snow also can increase your exposure to UV radiation.
It is equally important to protect your eyes from the sun. Too much UV radiation can damage the cornea and lead to cataracts, a clouding of the lens of the eye that can cause blindness. Not all tinted glasses - even very dark ones - protect against UV radiation. The UV filtration results from an invisible chemical applied to the sunglasses. Check the label when choosing sunglasses in order to make sure that they provide protection against UV radiation.
Sunscreens
Sunscreens play an important role as one part of a total program to reduce the harmful effects of the sun, that first includes limiting sun exposure and wearing protective clothing. FDA regulates sunscreens as over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Cosmetic products that are marketed with sun-protection claims are regulated as both drugs and cosmetics.
To help consumers select products that best suit their needs, sunscreens are labeled with SPF numbers. SPF stands for "Sun Protection Factor." The higher the SPF number, the more sunburn protection the product provides. Experts recommend using sunscreens with an SPF number of 15 or higher that also provide protection from UVA rays. Remember, sunscreen use alone will not prevent all of the possible harmful effects of the sun.
The effectiveness of a sunscreen is reduced if it is not applied in adequate amounts or it is washed off, rubbed off, sweated off, or otherwise removed. For maximum effectiveness, apply a sunscreen liberally before going outside and reapply it frequently on all sun-exposed skin. Unless otherwise stated on the label, 30 minutes before going outside and at least every two hours thereafter is a general rule of thumb. About one ounce of sunscreen should be used per application on the average adult.
Why is it important to use sunscreen?
Skin damage from sunlight builds up with continued exposure, whether sunburn occurs or not. In addition to skin cancer and sunburn, other effects can include wrinkling, premature aging, and in time, an almost leathery appearance of the skin. Research also suggests that excessive exposure to UV radiation may interfere with the body's immune system.
Sunburn is associated with the shorter ultraviolet wavelengths, known as ultraviolet B (UVB). The longer wavelengths, known as ultraviolet A (UVA), however, can penetrate the skin and damage connective tissue at deeper levels, even if the skin's surface feels cool. It is important to limit exposure to both UVA and UVB.
Sunscreens play an important role in a total program to reduce the harmful effects of the sun, along with limiting sun exposure and wearing protective clothing. FDA regulates sunscreens as over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Cosmetic products that are marketed with sun-protection claims are regulated as both drugs and cosmetics.
To help consumers select products that best suit their needs, sunscreens are labeled with SPF numbers. SPF stands for "Sun Protection Factor." The higher the SPF number, the more sunburn protection the product provides. Remember, sunscreen use alone will not prevent all of the possible harmful effects of the sun.
The effectiveness of a sunscreen is reduced if it is not applied in adequate amounts or it is washed off, rubbed off, sweated off, or otherwise removed. For maximum effectiveness, apply a sunscreen liberally and reapply it frequently.
FDA is concerned about the health hazards associated with suntanning products that do not contain sunscreen ingredients. Beginning May 22, 2000, such suntanning products must bear the following warning statement: "Warning-This product does not contain a sunscreen and does not protect against sunburn. Repeated exposure of unprotected skin while tanning may increase the risk of skin aging, skin cancer, and other harmful effects to the skin even if you do not burn."
When at the beach or pool, cover exposed areas with tightly woven clothing and wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your head and face. If you're a parent, protect your children's skin; research indicates that one or more severe, blistering sunburns in childhood or adolescence can double the risk of skin cancer later in life.
Remember that the sun's rays are the strongest from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m, especially during the late spring and summer. Reflected glare from water and snow also can increase your exposure to UV radiation.
Who is most at risk of skin damage from the sun?
Take extra care to protect babies and children from the sun. Studies show that one or more severe, blistering sunburns as a child or teenager could increase the risk for melanoma, an often fatal form of skin cancer.
You need to be especially careful to play it safe in the sun if you:
- have fair skin; blond, red, or light brown hair; and blue green, or gray eyes
- have freckles and burn before tanning
- spend a lot of time outdoors
- were previously treated for skin cancer
- have a family history of skin cancer, especially melanoma
- work indoors all week and then try to catch up on your tan on weekends
- live or vacation at high altitudes (ultraviolet radiation from the sun increases 4 to 5 percent for every 1,000 feet above sea level)
- live or vacation close to the equator
- have certain diseases, such as lupus erythematosus
- take certain medicines (light sensitivity), including:
- acne medicines
- antibiotics, such as tetracyclines
- antihistamines
- oral contraceptives containing estrogen
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as naproxen sodium
- phenothiazines (major tranquilizers and anti-nausea drugs)
- sulfa drugs
- tricyclic antidepressants
- thiazide diuretics
- sulfonylureas, such as oral anti-diabetics.
Ask your doctor about the risk of any medicines you may be taking that could be harmful to you when you are in the sun.
More Sun-Safety Tips:
Soothing the Burn
If despite all precautions you burn, there are a number of topical analgesics--with ingredients such as benzocaine, lidocaine, camphor, phenol, and menthol--on the market that will temporarily soothe the pain of a mild burn.
Moisturizers such as cocoa butter and petrolatum can help relieve the dryness when burned skin begins to peel. If you have a severe sunburn or if your skin is blistered, however, see a doctor for medical treatment.
The Right Shades
It's important to protect your eyes from ultraviolet radiation in the summer--and all year round. Ultraviolet light increases the risk of cataracts, so it pays to wear sunglasses that protect against the rays when you're out in the sun.
FDA defines a sunglass as a spectacle lens that protects the human eye from bright sunlight. The agency has proposed a revised voluntary standard for sunglasses. Summarized, the characteristics recommended by this standard include:
- Sunglasses must block 99 percent of UVB. A UVB-blocking sunglass is adequate to protect the eyes in moderately bright sunlight, such as is found in low-altitude, urban areas in temperate to northern latitudes.
- A UV-blocking sunglass blocks 99 percent of both UVA and UVB. A UV-blocking sunglass is adequate to protect human eyes in intensely bright sunlight, such as is found in low-elevation snow fields and non-equatorial beaches.
- Such sunglasses should block 60 to 90 percent of visible light to adequately reduce glare and increase visual comfort. Adequate traffic signal recognition should be provided by these sunglasses.
- To be adequate to protect the eyes during prolonged daily use in extremely bright sunlight, such as is found in high-elevation snow fields and equatorial sand beaches, a UV-blocking sunglass should block 92 to 97 percent of visible light and have side-shields (or be goggles). Side-shields are needed in extremely bright sunlight to prevent reflected UV and visible light from entering the eye. These sunglasses have poor traffic signal recognition properties and may produce severe loss of visibility in dim light.
- Sunglasses should not be used at night, in tunnels, or in similar dim environments.
- The only medical claims allowed on sunglasses are that they may prevent cataracts and photokeratitis.
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All sunglass lenses must pass FDA's safety test for breakage.
Consumers should check the label or ask the retailer to determine if the sunglasses being purchased are adequate for their use conditions.
Visit the following Internet sites for more information about protecting your children from the sun:
The above article is Copyright © U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Reprinted with permission.
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