Myths and Facts about Sunshine Safety

Everyone knows that too much solar exposure can be hazardous for your health. Unfortunately, there are still some highly prevalent myths and misconceptions about the issue out there. Here are a few things you should consider before your kids head outside in the sun.

Myth: Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones and growing children. It only makes sense that they should be allowed to play outside for as long as they want.

Fact: True… and false. Yes, vitamin D is important and, yes, you do get it from sunlight. However, the average person needs a lot less sun exposure to meet their daily requirement than you might think. About a half an hour each day will do the trick, meaning there’s no reason for kids to run around unprotected from dawn to dusk.

Myth: Getting a tan is actually healthy because it protects you from burning.

Fact: Sorry, it might look good, but this one just isn’t true. A tan is your body producing more melanin to try and protect itself. Unfortunately, the fact that it’s doing that is already a sign of damage.

Myth: The ozone blocks out most ultraviolet rays, making it relatively safe for kids to play in the sun.

Fact: There are actually three kinds of UV rays. All of them are harmful and all are linked to skin cancer. The ozone blocks out UVC rays, but most of our exposure actually comes from UVA

Myth: A higher SPF sunscreen will offer more protection, therefore you should buy the biggest number you can find.

Fact: You should buy a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. After that, the difference between grades becomes minute. For example, SPF 85 offers barely any extra protection than SPF50.

Myth: If your kids are planning to stay in the shade, they don’t need sunblock.

Fact: Even if they’re seemingly safely sequestered under their umbrellas, your kids can still get a sunburn. Sunlight reflects off of all sorts of surfaces, especially water, sand and snow. Make sure they put on lotion for a day at the beach even if they’re staying under cover.

Myth: Once the sunscreen is on, your kids are all set to go.

Fact: Sunscreen is significantly more effective after it’s had 15 to 30 minutes to sink in. Get your kids all lotioned up and ready to hit the beach before it’s actually time to hit the beach.

Myth: There’s no need to reapply waterproof sunscreen; it stays on all day long.

Fact: First of all, there’s actually no such thing as “waterproof” sunblock. There’s only water-resistant, which, while better than the usual variety for a beach day, should still be applied every one to two hours while out in the sun.

Myth: Cheap sunglasses from a street vendor are just as good as fancy ones.

Fact: They might look cool at first glance, but that pair of shades from Khao San isn’t going to do much good when it comes to protecting your child’s vision. Too much sun exposure can burn the eye’s cornea and lead to cataracts later on. Make sure you buy polarized sunglasses or ones that promise 100 percent UV protection.

Myth: Your child’s medication shouldn’t affect their sensitivity to UV rays.

Fact: Not necessarily. Certain prescription or even over-the-counter medications can significantly increase sensitivity to ultraviolet light. Ask your doctor if anything your child is taking—especially acne medications or antibiotics—might affect their risk. If so, be sure to take extra precautions to stay on the safe side.

Photo Credit: Pai Shih via Compfight cc