While it would be great if this weren’t the case, there are parents right the way across the US that aren’t protecting their children properly in the sun. Part of the reason behind this is a lack of awareness of what sunscreen stick for kids do and how they’re supposed to be used.
So, in order to provide some clarity and help parents to understand what the important factors are when it comes to children’s sunscreen, we now debunk 5 common misconceptions on the subject.
Table of Contents
Myth One – Sunscreen Has You Covered All Day Long!
When using sunscreen stick for kids or any sunscreen for that matter, some parents seem to think that once it’s applied, that’s all she wrote! Sadly, that’s not the case at all, and if it’s a notion that you follow, your kids are going to be suffering from sunburn later that evening, so be sure to have lots of aloe vera gel available to calm things down!
It’s necessary to reapply sunscreen every two hours, no matter what type you’re using. That’s the bare minimum, and if they’re going into the water, it needs to be even more frequent.
Myth Two – All Sunscreen Is The Same
This falsehood is one that’s immediately evident if you go looking for sunscreen products online. There are mineral products, chemical products, and sensitive skin products, and that’s before we even start talking about SPF options.
Then there are broad spectrum sunscreens that offer more protection than those that aren’t, so we’re looking at a diverse market. To get the right product, some research is certainly needed.
Myth Three – You Don’t Need Sunscreen When It’s Cloudy
Another reason why some kids end up with sunburn is that some parents don’t realise that sunscreen is needed, no matter what the weather is like. Of course, you’ll need sunscreen stick for kids on bright sunny days, but you need to keep it out on cloudy days too.
UVB rays are around us every day – even when it’s snowy, rainy or overcast. As such, sunscreen must be applied and re-applied every two hours as standard.
Myth Four – Dark Skin Doesn’t Need Sunscreen
This is another biggie. There are a surprising number of people who believe that having darker skin means that you don’t really need sunscreen. While a degree of natural protection is afforded by having more melanin in the skin, it still needs to be protected by sunscreen.
Sure, fair skin burns more easily, but dark skin will also burn given time. No one is immune.
Myth Five – Getting Wet Doesn’t Matter
Last up, we have the idea that getting wet has no discernible effect on the protection that sunscreen provides. It’s a misconception that can again lead to skin damage, as the reality is that it needs to keep being reapplied if your kids go swimming.
The same applies to sweating, meaning that if your child is playing sport, their perspiration will diminish the UV protection it provides.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Sunscreen Stick For Kids
Sunscreen is something that’s developed to protect us from the sun, but it also relies on us understanding some of the basic truths about what works and what doesn’t.
The facts we’ve covered here should go a long way to keep you safe, as avoiding them will ensure that you don’t put yourself or your kids at unnecessary risk.
