Insights from Dr. Maria Buethe, Division Chief of Dermatology at Rady Children’s Hospital Orange County (Rady Children’s)
Key takeaways
- UV exposure can happen anywhere, any time of year. Even on cloudy or cooler days, children can still be exposed to UV rays during everyday activities like playing outside, walking to school, or participating in sports.
- Sun safety habits start early and last a lifetime. Protecting children’s skin from infancy through adulthood with shade, protective clothing, sunscreen, and other sun-safe practices can help reduce the risk of long-term skin damage.
- The best sunscreen is the one your family will use consistently. Both mineral and chemical sunscreens can provide effective UV protection when used correctly. Choose the option that works best for your child’s skin, activities, and lifestyle.
How families can protect children from UV exposure and build lifelong sun-safe habits
July is UV Safety Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to learn how ultraviolet (UV) radiation affects your child’s skin. From playground adventures and pool days to walks to school and outdoor sports, children are exposed to UV rays during many everyday activities.
Here, Dr. Maria Buethe provides us insight into what UV radiation is, where children are most commonly exposed, how families can protect growing skin at every age, and what to consider when choosing between mineral and chemical sunscreens.
What is UV radiation?
UV radiation is an invisible form of energy produced by the sun. While some sun exposure plays a role in vitamin D production, too much exposure to UV rays can damage the skin and eyes, increasing the risk of sunburn, premature skin aging, and skin cancer, including melanoma.
Where can you be exposed to UV?
UV exposure can happen anywhere and anytime. Dr. Maria Buethe, Dermatology Division Chief at Rady Children’s Health, advises everyone to practice UV safety daily, even in these most unsuspecting places and climates.
“Unfortunately, the temperature itself is not a proxy for UV exposure,” says Dr. Buethe. “We may think that if the sun isn’t out, there is no need to apply sunscreen, or that sun protection habits may not be relevant. But UV exposure can still occur through clouds, meaning children can be exposed even on cooler or cloudy days.”
Children can be exposed to UV rays whenever they spend time outdoors, whether they’re playing at the park, swimming at the beach or pool, walking to school, participating in sports, or even riding in a stroller. Even more so, surfaces such as snow, water and sand reflect UV radiation, increasing exposure even when children are sitting in the shade.
“We also have UV exposure through UVA rays, which is that type of UV light that is also more connected with chronic skin damage, and eventually, skin aging,” Dr. Buethe adds. “Although many cars nowadays offer some protection against UVB, UVA that is really challenging to eliminate.”
How can I protect my child from UV exposure?
Protecting your child’s skin at every age
Sun safety habits can start in infancy and continue throughout adulthood. Early protection is especially important because children’s skin is still developing and cumulative UV exposure adds up over time.
“In the first six months of life, the skin barrier is not as mature yet,” says Dr. Buethe. “This is a particularly delicate time in a child’s life, and since we do not have sunscreen that is approved before six months of age, the CDC advises us to not expose our children to direct sunlight during that period of time.”
While sunscreen is an important part of sun protection, it is just one piece of the puzzle. UV safety extends beyond preventing immediate discomfort, including adding protective clothing to your child’s wardrobe.
“Clothing with built-in UV protection can provide more consistent, continuous protection throughout the day—something that can be challenging to achieve with sunscreen alone” says Dr. Buethe.
Finding the “right” sunscreen
Choosing a sunscreen can feel overwhelming with so many options available. The good news is that both mineral and chemical sunscreens can provide effective UV protection when used correctly.
When it comes to sunscreen, there are two main types to consider. “We have chemical sunscreen that has to be applied at least 15 minutes before sun exposure and has a level of penetration into the skin, and mineral sunscreen that sits on top of the skin and reflects the light,” says Dr. Buethe.
Mineral sunscreens tend to have a thicker consistency, whereas chemical sunscreens are often available in lighter-weight formulas, including sprays. Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing UV rays and converting them into heat that’s released from the skin. 1
Choosing between a mineral and a chemical sunscreen ultimately comes down to skin sensitivity, activity level, and personal preference. Individuals with sensitive or acne-prone skin may find mineral sunscreens more tolerable, while others may prefer chemical sunscreens because they are often lighter in texture and easier to apply, especially if they are playing sports. 1
The best sunscreen is the one your family will use consistently. Whether you choose mineral or chemical sunscreen, applying it correctly and making it part of your routine is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your child’s skin.
Want to learn more about protection from UV? Listen to Dr. Buethe’s full interview here.
References:
- Bullock, Taylor. “Mineral vs. Chemical Sunscreen: Which Is Better?” Cleveland Clinic, 24 May 2024, https://health.clevelandclinic.org/mineral-vs-chemical-sunscreen. ↩︎
