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Healthy
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Using Sunscreen
in the Childcare Setting
A sunny day may be the best day for outdoor play, but sun exposure can be a health hazard to a young child. Severe sunburns in childhood have been linked to the development of skin cancer later in life. Childcare programs can adopt simple sun safety practices to help protect children from the sun.
Sunscreens do not provide all day protection. They provide protection for a limited amount of time, usually the number of minutes it takes the skin to redden multiplied by the SPF, or "sun protection factor," listed on the sunscreen bottle.
In addition, sunscreens do not block 100 percent of ultraviolet radiation. All sunscreens block UVB rays, or those that cause sunburn. Broad spectrum sunscreens block UVB and some UVA rays, or those that penetrate more deeply into the skin and cause a different type of damage. However, even many broad spectrum sunscreens do not block the entire UVA spectrum. Read the product label and look for the three ingredients that seem to pack the biggest punch against UVA: avobenzone, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide.
Follow these simple guidelines to ensure the appropriate and consistent use of sunscreen with children in the childcare setting:
- Choose sunscreen and lip balm with a sun protective factor (SPF) of 15 or greater. (Of course, never allow children to share the lip balm!)
- Select products that protect against both UVA and UVB rays.
- Look for avobenzone, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in the product ingredients. Check the expiration dates of your sunscreen products and replace your supply regularly to ensure that the active ingredients stay effective. The average shelf life of a sunscreen is about two years.
- Ideally, use one sunscreen product with all children so that allergic reactions can be traced easily. (If parents know their child is allergic to certain ingredients, consider asking them to provide an appropriate sunscreen for their child.)
- Apply sunscreen on all sun-exposed skin areas 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply after swimming or sweating. However, do not reapply sunscreen just to prolong children's time in the sun.
- Use enough sunscreen to cover all exposed skin with a thick even layer.
- Due to the sensitivity of infants' skin, do not use sunscreen on babies under six months old. Instead, keep infants out of direct sunlight by using shade and cover-up clothing.
Since the most effective policies are built on partnerships established between childcare providers and the families they serve, it is important to communicate the policy in writing to parents and providers. Parents should provide the childcare provider with permission to apply the sunscreen and lip balm as described in the policy. Parents and other caregivers can even be asked to apply a high SPF sunscreen on their children's exposed skin every morning before coming to the program. This helps reinforce to parents the importance of sun safety so they can practice it all the time. Finally, the child caregivers can set a good example by using sunscreen and lip balm on themselves.
By following these simple rules, child caregivers, children, and families can stay safe and healthy while enjoying the sunny days.
By the American Medical Center's Cancer Research Center
Resources
"Sunny Days, Healthy Ways Sun-Safe School Guide" helps childcare centers assess their sun safety practices and environment and develop a practical Sun Safety Policy. For a free copy, call 800-331-1557, ext. 7.
The American Academy of Dermatology; www.aad.org.
The American Cancer Society's Sun Safety; www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/PED_7.asp?sitearea=PED
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; www.cdc.gov
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