Guide To Sun Protection For Kids, Part 2

The next step in protecting your children from the harmful UVA and UVB rays of the sun is to cover up as much as possible. The best way to cover your skin from the sun is the wear long-sleeved clothing. We know this is hard to do but if the weather is cool and the sun is out, wear long-sleeves. This is especially important for infants and toddlers because the melamin in their skin is thinner and under-developed.

Melamin is the agent in our skin that absorbs the UVA and UVB rays before serious damage occurs. When we begin to tan, that just means our melamin supply is or has depleted so your skin is being damaged.

As an example, I took my two year-old out to the backyard one 75 degree sunny day. I smeared on sunblock, made him wear a hat and short sleeves. I thought an hour in the sun would be ok with the protection he had on, but when I took off my sunglasses and looked at him, his cheeks and arms were red and brown BUT my skin was normal. That is how sensitive and under-developed a young child's skin really is. If you and your child cannot wear long-sleeves because of the temperature, bring along umbrellas or pop-tents.

In this edition of our sun protection guide we suggest you NEVER let your baby get caught in the sun by providing her this fun pop-up shade cabana. It sets up and folds down in seconds. It catches cooling breezes thanks to four-sides of mesh paneling and a ventilated roof. Blocks 98% of UV rays. Includes roll-down privacy shades, storage pockets, and anchor spikes. Folds compactly into its own carry bag (included).