The sun and children's skin
Summer is still far away but it's never too early to start dreaming about your next vacation! Have you already chosen your destination and booked your plane tickets? Then now is the perfect time to think about the best sun protection for your children. If UVA and UVB are two concepts as mysterious to you as R2D2 and C3PO to someone who has never seen Star Wars, follow the guide!
The risks of sun exposure
Sunburn is obviously the first risk linked to exposure to the sun, and it can have serious consequences, particularly on the fragile skin of children. In the short term, the consequences of sunburn are similar to those of a real burn: redness, more or less intense pain, hypersensitivity, appearance of blisters, headaches, insomnia. The child can also declare an allergic reaction, which is called lucite. It causes the appearance of small spots and redness but can also trigger hives. We also tend to forget it but the other major risk of prolonged exposure to the sun is that of suffering heatstroke which can lead to discomfort. Babies and children are particularly sensitive to it and it is therefore advisable to hydrate them very regularly.
In the longer term, a single sunburn before the age of 10 doubles the risk of developing skin cancer in adulthood! Nothing is worth exposing your child to such danger and it is our role as parents to protect our children by preserving their solar capital.
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No sun exposure before 1 year
Before the age of one, a baby should not be exposed directly to the sun. Their still immature skin is unable to defend itself against ultraviolet rays which can then reach the basal layers of the epidermis, that is to say the deepest layers of the skin. No exposure does not mean that no protection is necessary. Baby should therefore stay in the shade, dressed in light and loose clothing that covers the arms and legs, sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat. Ideally, this recommendation should be followed until the age of 3. However, it is difficult to prevent a curious little child from exploring the beach and tasting (literally and figuratively) the pleasure of fine sand!
Our advice for protecting your child from the sun
The best sun protection to offer a baby is to not expose them to the sun! For slightly older children, the trio of Canopea anti-UV swimsuit, mineral sunscreen and no exposure during the hottest hours is the winning combination!
- An anti-UV swimsuit : 80% of Canopea swimsuits and t-shirts are made from Econyl®, a recycled fiber that offers UPF 50+ protection without any chemical filters. They will effectively protect your child from the harmful effects of the sun. And because you should never sacrifice elegance for efficiency, you will also love their deliciously retro look.
- Sunscreen : For areas of skin not covered by the Canopea anti-UV swimsuit, sunscreen is a must! The good news for your wallet but also for the planet and that you will use less. However, you must be careful about the product used, especially because a baby's skin absorbs 2.7 times more cream than that of an adult! It is therefore preferable to choose a cream with a mineral filter that will reflect UV rays and not absorb them. It is also preferable to choose a cream in a tube rather than a spray to prevent the child from inhaling titanium dioxide. The sunscreen must offer double UVA-UV protection but also an SPF 50+ with a hypoallergenic formula without alcohol or parabens.
- Exposure times : We can never repeat it enough (and this recommendation also applies to adults!), it is imperative not to expose yourself to the sun between noon and 4 p.m. when the sun is at its highest and the ultraviolet rays are most numerous. Don't let these naughty white clouds fool you either! They actually let nearly 90% of UV rays through. Even if the sensation of heat on the skin is less strong, the sunburn is the same.
To learn more about sun protection, click here
