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The sunscreen should be used on the baby from 6 months of age, as it is very important to protect fragile skin from aggressive sun rays, which can cause serious problems, such as burns or skin cancer. Babies who are most at risk of sun damage are those with blond or red hair, light eyes and fair skin.
Some tips for buying the best child protector include:
- Prefer a baby-specific formula from trusted children's product brands
- Choose a waterproof formula, as it stays on the skin longer;
- Give preference to formulas with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, as they are ingredients that are not absorbed, reducing the risk of allergy;
- Opt for a protector with an SPF greater than 30 and against UVA and UVB rays;
- Avoid sunscreens with insect repellents, as they increase the risk of allergy.
It is not recommended to iron before 6 months of age because most sunscreens contain chemicals that can irritate the skin, so if used in excess, it can cause a serious allergic reaction.
Thus, before applying any type of sunscreen on the baby's skin, it is important to consult the pediatrician and then test the product on a small area of the skin to see if changes appear during the next 48 hours. This test should be done whenever a product is changed. See what to do in case of an allergic reaction to sunscreen.
In addition to knowing how to choose the best protector, it is also important not to forget to dress the baby properly to protect the skin as much as possible, without exaggerating the layers of clothing, as they can increase body temperature a lot.
The exposure schedule should be done in the early hours of the morning and in the late afternoon, avoiding the hours between 10 am and 4 pm, where the sun's rays are most intense.
How to apply sunscreen
Depending on the baby's age, there are different precautions when going to the beach or passing the protector:
1. Up to 6 months
Up to 6 months it is advisable to avoid sun exposure in the baby and, therefore, the protector does not need to be used either. The baby should not be exposed directly to the sun, nor be in the sand of the beach, nor under the umbrella, because the sun can still pass through the fabric and harm the baby.
On a day-to-day basis, if it is necessary to go out on the street, to go for a consultation, for example, the ideal is to give preference to light clothes and cover your face with sun glasses and a wide-brimmed hat.
2. More than 6 months
Use the sunscreen with plenty, passing over the entire body to prevent the baby from exposing unprotected regions while playing on the beach, for example. The protector must be re-applied every 2 hours, even if the baby does not go in the water, because sweating also removes the cream.
3. At all ages
The protector should be applied to the skin about 30 minutes before sun exposure to ensure complete protection from the first minute. In addition, it is important to apply the protector over the entire skin of the face, even around the eyes.
The sunscreen should be used every day, even during the winter, as the sun's rays can always attack the skin.
Watch the following video and clarify all your doubts about sunscreen: