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Youth Prevention

Fighting melanoma must start with prevention efforts, public awareness efforts, behavior modification and attitude changes toward sun safety and overall sun exposure.

It’s never too early, or too late, to protect your skin or your child’s skin from harmful UV rays.

Check out the links below to learn more.

To keep your child safe outdoors, dermatologists recommend the following tips: 

  1. Keep your baby in the shade. Shade is the best way to shield your baby from the sun, especially if he or she is younger than six months old. Keep your baby in the shade as much as possible, and if you can’t find shade, create your own using an umbrella, canopy or the hood of a stroller. 
  2. Dress your baby in sun-protective clothing, such as a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt and pants. In addition, make sure your baby always wears a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV protection. 
  3. Minimize sunscreen use on children younger than six months old. However, if shade and adequate clothing are not available, parents and caretakers may apply a minimal amount of broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to their children’s skin. Sunscreens containing titanium dioxide or zinc oxide are less likely to irritate a baby’s sensitive skin. Remember to reapply your child’s sunscreen every two hours or immediately after swimming or sweating, as there is no such thing as “waterproof” sunscreen. 
  4. Stay safe on hot days. In addition to sun protection, stay safe on hot days by making sure your baby does not get overheated and drinks plenty of fluids. If your baby is fussy, crying excessively or has redness on any exposed skin, take him or her indoors immediately. 

Sun protection is important at every stage of life, including infancy.

Always protect yourself and your family from the sun, and see a board-certified dermatologist if you have any questions about how to take care of your baby’s skin. Site:  Infant sun protection: How parents can keep their baby safe (aad.org)

Quick tips for parents:

  1. Sunscreen is safe for children over the age of six months. 
  2. Use broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF of at least 30 every day. 
  3. Be sure to cover all exposed skin — don’t forget the lips, ears, hands, feet and the back of the neck. 
  4. Reapply sunscreen every two hours — but more often when swimming or sweating. 
  5. Protect your child with a wide-brimmed hat, long sleeves and sunglasses. 
  6. Encourage your child to play in the shade whenever possible, especially between 10 am – 4 pm. 
  7. Discourage all forms of intentional tanning — this applies to both natural and artificial UV sources. 
  8. Start talking to your child at a young age about being proud of the skin they were born in!