Counsel on Sun Protection-Child

Summary of Recommendation and Evidence

Population	Recommendation	Grade (What's This?)
Screening of both Genders	This screening is recommended for children.	B

Overview

Your child needs some sun to help her body to make vitamin D, which is important for things like strong bones and muscles. But you have to be careful about how much sun your child gets on her skin.

Too much sun can lead to sunburn, skin damage, eye damage, skin cancer and a weakened immune system.

Problems due to Sun Exposure

Turning pink

Unprotected skin can be damaged by the sun’s UV rays in as little as 15 minutes. Yet it can take up to 12 hours for skin to show the full effect of sun exposure. So, if your child’s skin looks “a little pink” today, it may be burned tomorrow morning. To prevent further burning, get your child out of the sun.

Tan

There’s no other way to say it—tanned skin is damaged skin. Any change in the color of your child’s skin after time outside—whether sunburn or suntan—indicates damage from UV rays.

Cool and cloudy

Children still need protection. UV rays, not the temperature, do the damage. Clouds do not block UV rays, they filter them—and sometimes only slightly.

Why use Sun Protection?

The sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the main cause of skin cancer, sunburn, premature ageing, and eye damage. UV damage in childhood significantly increases our risk of skin cancer.

So it is important to help children develop good sun protection habits. Show children how to be SunSmart through role modelling and encourage independent sun protection behaviours.

When to use Sun Protection?

Sun protection is recommended whenever UV levels reach 3 or higher. Because you cannot see or feel UV, you can’t rely on your senses to let you know when you’re in danger.

Sun safety at different times of year and day

Child’s sun protection needs change at different times of year and different times of day. That’s because ultraviolet (UV) radiation varies during the year depending on the season.

UV radiation levels are highest between about 9 am and 4 pm, depending on where you are in Australia and the time of year. Child needs sun protection when the UV radiation level is 3 or above.

What Sun Protection should we use?

Active, outdoor play is important for health and development. Whenever you are outside during the sun protection times, make sure the whole family is well protected – including the adults – by using these precautions.

Shade

Shade gives you and your child some protection from UV radiation. Dense shade that creates a dark shadow is best.

If you’re using a pram, cover it with a shade cloth that lets air get through to your child. Alternatively, some prams have adjustable canopy tops that can move and offer shade as the sun’s position changes.

If you can’t find shade, make your own using an umbrella or sunshade. Always keep window shades in your car to stick on side windows and protect your child while you’re driving.

Protective clothing

Here are some things to think about when you’re looking for sun-protective clothing for your child:

Tightly woven fabric helps protect your child’s skin from the sun. Hold the fabric up to the light to see how much sun gets through. If the fabric lets a lot of light through, it’ll probably let a lot of UV through too.
Long sleeves and long pants cover up more of your child’s skin. Elbow-length sleeves and knee-length shorts are best if it’s too warm for full-length clothing.
Wetsuits and rash vests are a great way to protect your child from the sun when swimming or doing other water activities.
Cotton clothing is cooler than clothing made from acrylic fibres.
Loose-fitting clothing is cooler.

Hats

A hat protects your child’s face, neck and ears from the sun’s UV. Bucket, broad-brimmed and legionnaire’s hats give the best protection. Caps aren’t recommended.

Sunglasses

Wearing sunglasses as well as a hat can help protect your child’s eyes. Look for close-fitting, wrap-around. Prolonged exposure to UV is a risk factor for cataracts.

Sunscreen

Use a sun protection factor (SPF) 30 or higher broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen on your child’s face, hands and any other parts of his skin that aren’t covered by clothes. Make sure to use plenty of sunscreen – many people don’t use enough, so they don’t get the protection they need.

Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before you go outside, and reapply it every two hours, even if the tube or bottle says four hours.

Make sure sunscreen is within its use-by date, and keep it stored in a cool, shady place under 30°C.