Although it may feel like it’s been winter forever, spring is certainly around the corner, and before long warmer days will be here. Although it may be tempting to shed layers of clothing as quickly as possible, it is important to remember sun safety, especially when younger kids are concerned. Here are three tips and reasons to ensure the sunscreen is being applied, even at this time of year.
Lead By Example
Many kids dislike applying sunscreen, but you can lead by example by applying it daily even in the early spring. Choose a good quality sunscreen that isn’t sticky or greasy, and remind your kids to apply it daily. Getting into this habit at a young age will set them up well for later life, as dermatologists insist that wearing sunscreen daily is one of the best things we can do to protect our skin.
Don’t Get Caught Out
In the early spring, it’s easy to assume that the sun won’t be strong enough to burn, but children’s skin is more sensitive than adults’, and in fact, the sun’s UV rays can be particularly damaging at this time of year. Don’t forget, that kids often spend more time outside than adults, so it is a good idea to check that exposed areas such as wrists, ears, and faces are protected by a morning application of sunscreen.
Practice Makes Perfect
If you can get your kid used to applying sunscreen daily now, your battles come summer will be much more easily won. Sunscreen is an absolute essential for a day at the beach or a picnic in the park, but kids are often so excited by these events, that they resist the boring process of applying sunscreen. Get them used to it as part of their daily routine now, and they won’t blink an eye when you ask them to layer it on and grab a hat before hitting the beach in August.