Recently there has been a lot of talk of children being chemically burned by sun lotion. It looks terrible and it must hurt those little people a lot, but what is it doing on them?
A few years ago I did a TV interview for sun lotion and learned all about the history and ingredients in North American and European sun lotions and there are some big differences. If you can get the European stuff. Also get lotion with UVA and UVB protection.
First off, my African friends do not use sun lotion growing up. They just stay OUT OF THE SUN, during the 10am-3pm times. They cover up, play under trees, inside or where ever they are not getting blasted by the sun.
I lived in the Caribbean for about 5 years, the first year I used a lot of lotion and after that I only put a bit on my nose for the remaining years. After learning how to be in the sun and not be in the sun depending on the times of day.
Now if your telling me that’s inconvenient for you, then don’t have children. A parental job is to keep your kids safe and keeping them out of peak UV exposure times is part of it. Sun lotion is really little bits of titanium and goo to hold it onto your skin. Really not very good for anyone.
In the TV interview I was actually arguing for the use of it and the other guest said putting sun lotion onto a kid “is equivalent to child abuse”. Maybe a bit overstated but…
I do think there are times a young person (think age 5 and up) may need some sun lotion. But I think you should not put it on a baby. They simply need to be kept out of the sun during peak times. I know that may interfere with your beach time, but it’s for the best.
What about skin cancer and sun related damage? Stay out of peak sun times.
I do keep a bottle of sun lotion on my boat and do use it if I am racing for the day. I do think there is times for sun lotion and you situation will be unique, but the less chemicals you put on a child the better.
Be Well,
Ward Willison
allbodycare.com
Kelowna Acupuncture & Other Natural Therapies