Sunburn is crap. I hate it. It’s sore, looks awful and it’s down right dangerous. Skin cancer is a very real fear of mine. I have to be so careful in the sun.
As a fair skinned ginger, I have been caught out a few times, even when trying so hard not to. Tanning is not cool when you are as fair as me and I usually use some fake tanning moisturiser where the colour builds.
I’m an adult though and responsible for myself. I’ve been an idiot and just unlucky. But what about my 22 month old daughter? Who is going to care for her beautiful, delicate skin if I’m not? No one and that responsibility is big.
I looked on whilst on holiday at a little girl burnt to a crisp. Not just a little blotch where the cream had missed; big red strap marks. She must have been around 4 years old. I judged. I’m sorry. With the awareness, the creams and the specialist clothing around for little ones now it’s just not acceptable. I would hate to put my little girl to bed, crying out every time she moved. Aftersun and aloe vera is soothing but the damage has already been done.This article was written whilst on holiday but at Brit Mums Live this weekend I got chatting to the team from Boots who made me even more aware of keeping my gremlin safe. Here are some of my own tips and what I learnt over the weekend:
- Factor 50 sun cream is a must and despite most being waterproof nowadays, it must be reapplied after a towel dry. Trust me, this is one I have fallen foul to. I’m aware you should let your little ones have some sun exposure to allow appropriate Vitamin D generation but be aware in hotter countries, it does not take long for skin to burn unprotected. I’m happier to let my girlie have 15-20 minutes in the UK out of the hottest times (11am-3pm) to get her fix. If we get some sun that is!
- Sun cream is less effective after being kept in the cupboard for a year, so check it’s lifespan on the bottle and if in doubt get some more.
- Wet T-shirts are ineffective and sun cream is needed underneath. When wet a T-shirt stretches and lets the UV-rays through. I was not aware of this one. You can buy specialist swim suits that cover the shoulders and part of the legs. I actually bought mine from Boots as they have some lovely ones. Check the sun protection factor on the label to ensure it is safe for your little one. These suits really do provide piece of mind for those areas that may get missed with the cream or rubbed off. Plus if it’s a bit chilly, they offer a little bit more warmth.
- Be extra careful at the beach. Sand particles reflect the UV rays.
- UV rays can be reflected from your tablet onto your face and into your eyes if you are enjoying a read in the sun. This may not be an issue now for your little one but could be for you. Use sun cream on your face and wear a pair of sunnies that are guaranteed to protect your eyes from the UV rays.
- A hat is also vital. I’m lucky. My gremlin has quite a bit of hair and this cover her neck too.
There is a slight bit of luck that my daughter’s skin is not as fair as mine and she did tan nicely on holiday, even with lots of sun cream. Regardless of this I would have been horrified if she had burnt. Going abroad is something we as a family love but staying sun safe is high on the agenda.
What a great post. I'm paranoid about my boys burning so I always apply sun cream even in a little sun as Finley is very fair like his daddy. My mum got skin cancer under her eye so I am so extra cautious now #twinklytuesday xx
I'm obsessed with protecting my little ones from the sun, double sun cream, factor 50, hats at all times, etc. my daughters a red head and fair so we have to be super careful x
Great post! I always keep a bottle of sun factor 50 in the nappy bag. Even if it's slightly cloudy I'll still whack some on. My daughter once burned her face slightly on a cloudy day at the playground so I'm not taking any chances ever again!
Got so excited there I forgot to mention I found your post through #SundayStars
Great post, it is so important isn't it, Joe my youngest burns easily I always need to keep him topped up x
Great tips I don't blame your for judging I would have too I always have a bottle of factor 50 in my bag just in case I have been badly sun burnt in the past and I would be so cross with myself if my girls got burnt under my watch! Thanks for linking up to #sundaystars