help with suntan lotion (Full Version)

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tracydolls -> help with suntan lotion (8/5/2008 5:39:45 PM)

Hi,

I really need help. My granddaughter is 14 mos. and loves to play in yard.

The problem is she is very pale. And is turning red alot. I fear she will burn badly.

I want to buy her a suntan lotion but don't know how to go about it.

I really don't understand the SPF 50, etc. What are these numbers for?

Any recommendations?

What do people use with their children, etc?



SteveSund -> RE: help with suntan lotion (8/5/2008 6:44:08 PM)

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and is a measure of how effective a sunscreen is in preventing burn. This article on Wikipedia explains what it means and how it is calculated.

My daughter has a very light complexion and burns very easily. We have used a variety. Coppertone-Waterbabies seemed to work well. It is a spray lotion and has an SPF of 50. We also find that using a stick lotion for the face is easier to apply around the eyes and mouth.



lexie -> RE: help with suntan lotion (8/5/2008 10:20:12 PM)

I am very fair and burn easily. My doctor told me once that anything above SPF 30 doesn't make that big a difference.

I have been using Coppertone Waterbabies on my daughter, but I can't recommend it (I'm not sure if her skin getting darker is a tan, or just her getting her colour.)

But be aware of recent reports that oxybenzone (and dioxybenzone) can be harmful. You can find lots of lotions without them.

Also sunscreen and sunblock are two different things. Sunscreen absorbs the sun rays while sunblock reflects it. With sunscreen, reapplication doesn't stop you from burning, so it's best to go with a higher SPF to start with. Sunscreen needs to be applied 30 minutes before you go into the sun, sunblock works right away. Also, make sure sunscreen is waterproof and sweatproof.



locomom -> RE: help with suntan lotion (8/6/2008 12:14:13 AM)

The one thing you want to remember is that most of the skin damage that adults have was done as a child. Especially true for those of us in pre-SPF days. You will want to buy a lotion or cream that is good for babies. If she burns always, get one that is effectively a sunblock. Baby Faces was a good one. You can call her pediatrician for a recommendation or even samples.



Focusing -> RE: help with suntan lotion (8/6/2008 12:50:10 AM)

There's usually a selection in the suncare products section, including products for babies. If she's going to be playing in or around water, you will want to look for something waterproof too.

I've also heard that anything over 30 SPF doesn't matter, so don't bother looking and paying more for something that isn't any better.

And ... a big floppy hat. (If she'll wear one.) And they're so cute on babies! [:D]



MC4JC -> RE: help with suntan lotion (8/6/2008 1:56:22 PM)

I've heard that anything over the SPF 30 is not any better. I'm glad you are concerned about your granddaughter, but she should stay out of the sun between 10am and 3pm when the sun will do the most damage.

Find other things for her to do during that time and let her play outside later in the evening.



tracydolls -> RE: help with suntan lotion (8/6/2008 10:51:26 PM)

Thank you guys.

Well I think it happened today. We were out about 10 am for a long time, her neck turned very red. And she was very fussy! I think she got burned.


What do you do for Burns? I gave her a little tylenol. But I am DEFIANTELY getting her some sunblock? And a hat. She is redhaired with green eyes, it doesnt look like she is gonna do well with tans.


My daughter has been told let her burn and then she will tan, I'm like that doesnt sound right. Isnt it painful to be burned like that?

If a person burns too bad, what do you do, go to hospital,?I really felt sorry for her today. That poor baby, she is normally a very happy baby.

Thanks again for advice.


I usually am in my garden alot she loves to play out there with me.

I want to make sure I have this clear. Buying a SPF 50 doesnt really matter a SPF 30 will do?



garsyt -> RE: help with suntan lotion (8/6/2008 11:22:51 PM)

quote:

My daughter has been told let her burn and then she will tan, I'm like that doesnt sound right. Isnt it painful to be burned like that?


Oh gosh no! I have a green-eyed red head as well! He is now 14 (almost 15) and he STILL burns to a crisp every summer if he doesn't use sunscreen. I also have a blue-eyed blonde that NEVER tans - just burns if he doesn't wear sunscreen. YES burns are painful - very painful especially for some one with the delicate skin of a wee one!

sunscreen with at least an SPF of 30, big floppy sun hats and staying out of the sun during the hottest/sunniest part of the day. Some good advice has been given! By no means will it assure that your granddaughter will tan after getting a sunburn and it could contribute to LONG term skin problems, including scaring, skin cancers and premature aging.

Blessings,

Garsy



lexie -> RE: help with suntan lotion (8/7/2008 8:46:21 AM)

quote:

My daughter has been told let her burn and then she will tan, I'm like that doesnt sound right. Isnt it painful to be burned like that?


My mom used to hear this when I was a child as well. Not a good idea. I spent a lot of time outside in the summer and had quite a few burns. While it seems true that once you burn it becomes a tan and you don't burn again, it's just not a good idea. When I was 15 I was tested for skin cancer, and it's now something I have to have checked every year.

For burns, tylenol is good for the pain. Use aloe vera gel (I swear by that when I burn) or try soaking a compress in milk and applying it to the burn (milk baths are also good.)



Row1 -> RE: help with suntan lotion (8/7/2008 9:33:31 AM)

Hello - if this post is not actually a joke:
This is terrible.
You truly need to get yourself educated somewhere somehow fast.

Your granddaughter has gotten sunburned, is bothered by the pain, and you are taking someone's advice to just let her continue to get burned until she gets tanned? You are on the verge of getting in trouble for child neglect.

Are you not light-skinned yourself? Even dark-skinned people in the U.S. know about sunburn and sunblock - so if you are from somewhere else, it is time to get educated.

Talk to anyone you know who is fair-skinned so they can give you this info. Any time longer than maybe 20 MINUTES in the mid-day summer sun will lead to sunburn. Any sunburn hurts.

ANY red = sunburn = risk for skin cancer.

Skin cancer is VERY common in fair-skinned people.

sun screen, sun block, spf, whatever - just get anything and use it!

If you are watching this toddler for any amount of time, you should have some phone number, like the child's pediatrician, to call for questions like: how to know if sunburn is bad enough to go to the doctor.

Beyond that: making a child wear a hat is great. To get them to like hats, you can get them to play with hats at some times when you don't really need them to wear a hat, then when they go outside, they are more likely to wear the hat.

We find it easier to use the spray-on sunblock on the top of our fair-skinn, light-haired toddler's head, rather than try to rub on the lotion kind of sunblock.

The spray-on is expensive - like $10/bottle - so we just use it on his head, and we rub the sunblock lotion for the rest of the parts of his body that are exposed to the sun.

He finally likes sunglasses! And wearing a hat, so that lately has made it easier to protect him from sunburn.

I find it hard to believe this post is real, but I guess it could be.



lexie -> RE: help with suntan lotion (8/7/2008 9:52:16 AM)

quote:

Hello - if this post is not actually a joke:
This is terrible.
You truly need to get yourself educated somewhere somehow fast.

Your granddaughter has gotten sunburned, is bothered by the pain, and you are taking someone's advice to just let her continue to get burned until she gets tanned? You are on the verge of getting in trouble for child neglect.

Are you not light-skinned yourself? Even dark-skinned people in the U.S. know about sunburn and sunblock - so if you are from somewhere else, it is time to get educated.


Actually, a lot of white people still give the advice to let the children burn and it will turn to tan. So I'm not surprised to hear Tracy say that someone has told her this.

Also, many dark-skinned people don't know about sunburn and sunblock. My husband got his first sunburn a couple of years ago, he's black. I had to educate him on sunblock because he grew up in the Caribbean and no one ever used sunblock.

Also, while black people have lower rates of skin cancer, it is more likely to be deadly and more aggressive in them because many people believe that the increased epidermal melanin (which is a natural SPF) means they don't need to use sunblock.

There is still a lot of confusion surrounding sunblock, so I would necessarily treat this as a joke.



Homegrownkids -> RE: help with suntan lotion (8/7/2008 2:05:10 PM)

Here's what my dermo recommended for our son:
- Use sunscreen ("adult" sunscreen is the same as "baby" sunscreen except for the scent) that covers both UVA and UVB
- Wear a "rash guard" shirt for swimming - less direct sun exposure and you don't have to worry as much about even distribution of sunscreen (we found ours at Target)
- Hats are awesome if you can get them to leave it on
- The sun is strongest between 10am and 4pm, so if possible, avoid direct exposure during those hours.

Our son gets laser treatments on the face, so I always make sure I use 50+. His skin is REAL sensitive after these treatments, and I have not had a burn yet.



Brandy -> RE: help with suntan lotion (8/7/2008 8:19:47 PM)

My mom is fair skinned Irish w strawberry blond hair and blue eyes.

She never used sunblock as a kid and had a few severe burns.

She goes every 3months now and gets spots removed with liquid nitrogen that can be pre cancerous. She has had one on her head be cancer but was completely removed.

USE SUN PROTECTION.



Row1 -> RE: help with suntan lotion (8/8/2008 9:07:36 AM)

we use one of those surfer shirts for our toddler.
it is great for covering up from the sun.



tracydolls -> RE: help with suntan lotion (8/13/2008 11:36:55 AM)

I did a informal poll of black people I know(which is lots)

none of them use sun block!

The responses I got were varied, maybe a little butter on nose when it's 100 degrees, but that's about it.

I did get my granddaughter some block.

I did not know skin cancer was so prevelent. I found out Laura Bush just had a patch removed off leg.

Thanks for the answers. I learned some things.



locomom -> RE: help with suntan lotion (8/13/2008 12:57:03 PM)

tracydolls,
Unfortunately skin cancer can be prevalent among young adults of those who indulged in tanning. It sounds like your granddaughter needs a sunblock. The difference between baby and adult sunscreens or sunblocks can be perfume, but in general baby products are geared to a young child's more sensitive skin. Kudos to you for catching up on this issue early. Go to the drugstore and look at the sunscreen/sunblock products for yourself. Personally, I unscrew the lid and sniff for perfume that is undesirable (which in my family is an issue). Since you are concerned, I would take the time to call your granddaughter's doctor's office and talk to the nurse about it. Or if you have a dermatologist talk to them. I also think the pharmacy department or the pharmacist can help you out. I remember some that worked for us, but the products have changed in the last 19 years.



Mrs.Wifey -> RE: help with suntan lotion (8/13/2008 1:11:51 PM)

The best sunblock is a "physical" blocker with Zinc Oxide and/or Titanium Dioxide. They will make the skin appear more pale, but they do a fantastic job at preventing sunburn. We use Blue Lizard Baby since it doesn't contain Oxybenzone or dioxybenzone. It's also what my dermatologist sells in his office.



MrsDC -> RE: help with suntan lotion (8/13/2008 3:30:23 PM)

OK, I'm going to give my opinion and I KNOW that it will be pretty unpopular. BUT being a fair-skinned red-head living on the beach in Mexico, having six red-headed and fair-skinned kiddos and having been treated for "skin cancer issues", I feel like my opinion is at least worth hearing.

I won't use sunscreen. My kids don't use sunscreen. We cover up, and we stay out of the sun when it's really strong out. We wear long sleeves, long pants and hats if we're out on a boat or working in the sun. IF on some odd circumstance, we do use sunscreen, we wash it off with soap and water as soon as possible.

Why? Well, IMO, God gave our bodies the ability to burn for a reason. What is that reason? To tell us that it's time to GET OUT OF THE SUN! The burn is not the problem. The burn is the warning that you're pushing God's limits. Putting sunscreen on (sunblock, whatever [not including zinc ointment]) doesn't protect you from the sun, it turns off God's natural protection: the sunburn. What did the Israelites do when they wandered in the desert? They covered up. What do Arabs, Africans and Mexicans do today? They cover up.

SO, my sum up would be -- if your baby has a sunburn, treat the burn to keep him comfy and next time get him inside sooner. Put up a sun umbrella or canopy. Floppy hats are great. Long, loose-fitting sleeves. Pants. No chemical intervention.



MrsTracy72 -> RE: help with suntan lotion (8/15/2008 9:22:13 PM)

MrsDC, I am almost the same way. I will use sunblock if I am going to be out in it for extended periods of time, but I try to stay out of the sun as much as possible. I have not put sunblock on one time this summer, and my kids only had it on three times. We try to play in shaded areas and when we go in the pool, I put the canopy over it to keep the sun off.

I do this because while there are safer sunscreens, they are all still chemicals that you are putting on your skin and they get absorbed into your body. But I will not give up a day at the beach because of the sun.

And whether you burn or not, the sun is dangerous. The rays can be harmful to you even if you don't get that burn or tan.



tracydolls -> RE: help with suntan lotion (8/21/2008 10:45:39 PM)

Well I FINALLY figured out how to get my avatar to change!

This is the granddaughter I was referring to.

I do keep her outside too long also I think. I love the outdoors, and since winter is about to set in[:o] I have been out more.

I have been trying to keep her in shaded areas.

But I keep catching her in front where I have planted all my flowers pulling them up, too much sun though.



IAMJulie -> RE: help with suntan lotion (8/25/2008 12:06:45 AM)

Jumping in a little late but just wanted to say that I really like the new Huggies brand spray on sunscreen for kids. Smells wonderful and I like not having my hands all greasy. Also, One Step Ahead sells many, many items for keeping kids safe in the sun including special clothing and play tents.

I'm a redhead and have a redhead who absolutely loves the outdoors. It is totally impractical to keep her indoors when she could burn because, unless it's raining, that could be anytime really. A nice bucket hat will work to keep the sun off of her neck and out of her eyes. Also, she also gets pink cheeks and arms sometimes but usually just because she is hot. Once I bring her in they go back to her normal color. Still, I use sunscreen (not suntan lotion which would actually enhance a tan, not prevent a burn) on her and even remember to use it on myself sometimes.



4b1gtt -> RE: help with suntan lotion (9/5/2008 2:26:59 PM)

I have just switched sun screen to a brand from Arbonne. It is pure and safe it has no mineral oil in the product. Mineral oil is almost as bad as the sun for our skin. It is great for kids and adults alike because it does not sweat into your eyes and burn.



Row1 -> RE: help with suntan lotion (9/6/2008 2:59:48 PM)

the red comment made me think:
you can tell if the fair-skinned person is beginning to get sunburn by putting your finger on the skin - face, shoulder, arm, upper back, foot, whererver - put your finger on the skin and press for a couple seconds - then remove your finger - if burn is happening, you will see the skin go from white-ish to more-red-than-pink as the blood moves back into the area.

normally, for a fair-skinned person, the difference from the moment the finger is removed to the next few moments as the blood comes back is very subtle, but it is very distinct once sunburn starts happening.

otherwise, it is hard to tell if a burn is starting.



Mrs.X -> RE: help with suntan lotion (9/7/2008 1:00:49 AM)

Thanks for that tidbit, Row1. That is very helpful to me.



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