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Baby Sun Safety – Part 3

In East Tennessee, summer is meant for outdoor adventures. And for all the parents out there, it involves a whole new set of skin safety precautions. Your Knoxville Dermatology team is here to provide sun safety tips for children of all ages. In this entry, we will focus on tips for toddlers.

Toddlers

Babies’ skin may be more sensitive but toddlers’ energy levels require more thought and effort in keeping them safe in the sun. It’s important to begin teaching them about sun safety at an early age so they can develop good habits as they grow.

Yes, they are going to want to play outside and run around, but be mindful of their exposure between 10 AM and 4 PM. Those are the sun’s most powerful hours. If possible, keep play time in the shade during peak times. Also, cool, comfortable clothing is a must! Make sure their head, arms and legs are covered in unbleached cotton or some type of breathable material. You can also look for clothing with an Ultraviolet Protection Factor for extra protection – just check the label. Many children’s clothing brands now make cute, wearable, and cost efficient sun-safe options.

For extra-rambunctious toddlers, water-resistant spray-on sunscreens are a huge help. Just make sure they have an SPF of 15 or higher. Reapply every two hours for continued protection.

Plan your outdoor adventures with sun safety in mind and keep things like umbrellas, sunglasses, hats, towels and water on hand for when you need a quick cool down.

Baby Sun Safety – Part 1

In East Tennessee, summer is meant for outdoor adventures. And for all the parents out there, it involves a whole new set of skin safety precautions. Your Knoxville Dermatology team is here to provide sun safety tips for children of all ages. In this entry, we will focus on tips for infants.

Infants

Children 6 months or younger should avoid the sun because their skin is extremely sensitive. It’s even too sensitive for most sunscreens. At this age, babies’ skin has very little melanin, which means very little natural sun protection. Between minimal natural protection and a sensitivity to sunscreen, you need a simple plan that will allow you to enjoy the outdoors while keeping your child’s skin safe.

It doesn’t have to be a summer lifestyle overhaul. You can make a simple change like taking advantage of earlier outdoor hours before 10 am or after 4 pm. You can put a sun-protective cover on your stroller or add mesh window shields to your car windows. It’s also important to dress your baby in lightweight, breathable clothing that covers arms and legs. Don’t forget to protect your baby’s face, neck and ears. A cute, little wide-brimmed hat will do the trick.

Don’t hide indoors all summer. With just a little prep and a simple plan, both you and baby can enjoy some beautiful summer sun together.

Don’t Forget the SPF!

It’s a time for boots and scarfs, hats and coats, staying in and cuddling up. Just don’t let your sunscreen routine disappear – you may need it now more than ever!

During the warm summer months of sun and baring a little skin, it’s easy to remember your skin needs protecting. The heat hits our skin and signals us to lather up. In the winter, the heat that typically serves as our cue to use SPF has disappeared. But remember, the sun still burns in the winter. The UVA rays from the sun are the same strength year-round. The ozone layer even thins out during the winter and UV rays become more harmful. And once we see snow and ice, remember that they reflect the sun’s rays. So definitely lather up once the storms hit!

Because clothing and layers are likely to protect most parts of your skin, try to pay special attention to exposed areas such as your face, scalp and hands. Try using a moisturizer or lotion with sunscreen to stay protected. Prevent getting weather burn by using a product with SPF 30 or more.

Call us today at 865-690-9467 for help with your fall skincare routine or if you have any questions about your skin. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

July – National UV Safety Month

July isn’t just for fireworks and hotdogs – it’s National UV Safety Month. This is a great time to spread the message of safe fun in the sun. Whether you step up your current skin protection routine or make sure your loved ones stay protected, it is always a good idea to be conscious of the sun’s effect on your skin.

The sun releases energy or radiation in several different forms. Two common forms are the sunlight you can see and the heat you can feel. Ultraviolet (UV) rays are another form of invisible energy released from the sun. Although these are invisible to the eye, the effects are very visible.

Your skin, the largest organ, protects you against heat, sunlight, injury and infection. When you damage your skin with harmful amounts of UV rays, this can cause vision problems, age spots, leathery skin and can weaken your immune system. UV rays have been found to cause some forms of cancer. Overexposure may result in smaller but chronic health issues on your skin, eyes and immune system.

The sun gets a bad rap with talk of overexposure and skin cancer. Although these are very serious matters, there are some benefits to being out in the sun. A controlled amount of UV exposure induces production of vitamin D. This vitamin helps with calcium metabolism, building up your immunity, increasing cell proliferation, monitoring insulin secretion and blood pressure and lifting your mood.

To get the most out of your time in the sun, revisit our tips for summer skin safety.

If you have any questions about skin protection or any changes in your skin, please call us today at 865-690-9467. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.