Beautiful beaches and stunning weather are two reasons why Santa Barbara is paradise. With an average of 283 sunny days each year, parents are always asking for ways to protect their little beach bums from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays.
First Line of Defense
The peak hours of ultraviolet (UV) rays are between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Seeking shade and avoiding direct sunlight during these hours will minimize UV exposure.
Babies younger than 6 months old should avoid direct sunlight. To prevent sunburn on those chunky cheeks, parents should seek out shade or use an umbrella or a stroller canopy. Sun exposure at a young age can increase the chances of skin damage and developing skin cancer later in life.
Selecting a Sunscreen
When shopping for sunscreen, look for the words “broad spectrum” to help protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Zinc oxide is a very effective ingredient and can be found in a number of fun colors that younger kids may enjoy showing off at the beach.
Sunscreen with SPF (sun protection factor) greater than 15 is recommended. Sunscreen is most effective when applied 30 minutes before going outside. Older children and young adults should apply about one ounce of sunscreen at least every two hours and reapply after swimming, surfing and sweating.
Be Fashion Forward
For those who are into the Santa Barbara fashion scene, clothing can be used to help fend off UV rays.
UV-rated fabrics and cotton clothing with a tight weave will help keep UV rays off of your unsuspecting skin. Rash guards and swim shirts are widely available and can be helpful in case your surfer is resistant to applying and reapplying sunscreen when getting in and out of the water.
Wearing a hat with a 3-inch brim will help keep the sun off of the face and neck regions. (This doc prefers wearing hats with the Los Angeles Angels logo — not because they have been shown to be more effective but because they look cooler.)
Sunglasses also make you look cool and they are essential to protect your eyes. When shopping for shades, look for lenses that block 99 percent to 100 percent of UV rays. Since our eyes dilate behind darkened lenses, sunglasses with poor UV protection will actually invite more ultraviolet rays into your eyes and can be more harmful.
What About Babies?
If you have a baby, it is best to avoid the direct sun as much as possible. Dressing infants in lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts and brimmed hats can help prevent damaging sunburns.
When appropriate clothes and shade are not available and you must be outdoors, parents may apply sunscreen to exposed areas, such as the face, neck, ears and the back of the hands.
Before you say, “I thought I couldn’t use sunscreen on a baby younger than 6 months old,” it is important to remember that sunscreen is the last line of defense and should be used after you have taken all other precautions. The safest way to protect your infant is to avoid direct sun exposure in the first place.
If you are attending an event and sun exposure is unavoidable for your baby, it is OK to use sunscreen on exposed areas — even under 6 months of age. Before widespread application, first try a small amount of sunscreen on your baby’s back to make sure that it does not cause skin irritation.
Please be careful not to get sunscreen too close to your baby’s eyes.
Not Just for Sunny Days
Don’t forget about using sunscreen on a cloudy day. UV rays can penetrate May gray, June gloom and your clothes, too.
We are so fortunate to live in paradise. With some stellar planning, sunscreen, sunglasses and shade, we can protect our skin and have fun in the sun. Safely enjoying the sunshine is important for all ages, but especially for our youngest beach bums.
For more tips on sun safety, click here to visit the American Academy of Pediatrics website.
— Dr. Dan Brennan is a board-certified pediatrician at Sansum Clinic and a Santa Barbara native who enjoys being outside with his wife and three boys. He can be contacted at drb@sbpediatrics.com or 805.563.6211, or click here for more information about Santa Barbara Pediatrics. The opinions expressed are his own.
