Sun Protection FAQ

What are the effects of sunlight?

Sun is good for us, it helps us feel happy, warm, is great to play out in! It also helps us make the Vitamin D we need to grow and function properly.

Too much sun though is dangerous! Sun burn can cause skin cancer and damage to the eyes and the problems, although results are not seen until later in life, start in childhood.

We need to protect our children from the dangers of the sun so that they can enjoy the benefits.

Good sun protection clothing should block as many rays as possible both in and out of water so you need to make sure the UV clothing is SPF50+ and also that it wicks away perspiration to keep your little ones cool in the sun.

Make sure you are using a sun hat, preferably a bucket hat or legionaires hat so that the face and neck have some protection too. The hat should be made in an SPF50+ breathable fabric to give maximum sun protection and minimise perspiration of the head which can speed up dehydration. Sun glasses and goggles with good UV protection are a must too.

Why are children vulnerable and what can we do?

Children's skin is delicate and so makes them more vulnerable. Skin cancers are started early in life. A child is unlikely to notice they are burning when they are playing in the sun but they will later because sunburn is at least uncomfortable, worse is painful and worse still can cause serious burns.

What do I look for when choosing UV products?

Look for UV clothing that is certified SPF50+ this means the sun protection fabric will block about 98% of the suns rays. If they are certified it means they have been tested for sun protection in water too. If you chose to use a t-shirt, for example, in the pool it will lose much of its sun protection properties. Look through the t-shirt and if you see the sunlight coming through you know it is not protecting your child well when dry either.

For sun glasses and goggles look for maximum sun protection and good lenses, try to find ones that are recommended by doctors and have good strong and/or flexible frames to avoid breakages!

How can you protect your Child from the Sun?

Using good sun protection wear is a must preferably SPF50+, where the fabric doesn't cover the skin use a sun screen cream - try to use one with as few chemicals as possible - what you put on yours and your baby and children's skin is absorbed. Reapply as advised, especially after going in water and remember a towel will rub it off. Always use a hat with a brim such as a bucket or legionaires hat and remember good UV protective sun glasses really will protect eyes for later in life too.