Sun lotion - Page 2

[writermommy]

For me, it's not that the clothing is inadequate, just not practical. To really offer protection, it would need to cover the whole body. Arms, legs, etc. This is not practical, especially in the summertime. My kids want to wear a bathing suit or shorts and a tank top, not be covered head to toe in clothing. They would be too hot.

[lilsishomemade]

Our doctor told us to use sunscreen even under clothes, unless they wear specially-treated clothing. Even sitting in the shade isn't good enough. The natural consequence of not putting on sunscreen is that we aren't able to go outside. That's just the way it is. If they don't sit in their carseat, the car can't move. It's a safety issue. For here, they have to wear some type of shoes outside, because of all the stickers, so it's the same.

I love the glitter idea! I have boys, though, and they aren't into the glitter, otherwise I'd be ALL over that! They do like colors, wonder if I can find some of that colored lotion that is okay for them...

[Zyla]

In our family wearing sunscreen is not up for debate. I thoroughly cream each child and myself on all exposed areas of skin, plus under t-shirts, feet and so on. And if we're out longer than an hour we re-cream: we have really fair skin and will burn without re-creaming that often, even with spf50. We all wear hats -- again, they don't get to say no. No, they don't always like it, but it's like bike helmuts and carseats. For my kids, I think it makes it easier that I do it too, and really, it isn't that bad: they get used to it.

[Dragonfly]

Originally Posted by loraxc

So...I'm confused. Do those of you who are saying that clothing is not adequate apply sunscreen to the entire body, even under clothes?

[Brigianna]

That's interesting; I had never heard of clothing not being adequate or of wearing sunscreen under clothes. So why do people get "tan lines" where their clothes are? I never thought this was an issue for us because we're fully clothed all the time anyway.

[bellona]

I'm getting a little sidetracked here, but someone mentioned zinc oxide and I have a question.

I read somewhere that lots of times surfers use Desitin or other diaper rash stuff because it is made from zinc oxide. We don't have any diaper rash stuff here because it's never been an issue for us, but I was thinking that diaper rash stuff seems like it's less expensive than the zinc oxide that I've seen. Is there a downside? And if you were to use it would you have to cover yourself until you were totally white or does it rub in?

[lilsishomemade]

Originally Posted by Brigianna

That's interesting; I had never heard of clothing not being adequate or of wearing sunscreen under clothes. So why do people get "tan lines" where their clothes are? I never thought this was an issue for us because we're fully clothed all the time anyway.

Because it offers SOME protection. My dh gets a tan line (farmers tan ) but his upper body is still darker than his lower and he *never* goes without a shirt. Ever. Even when he was a kid, he never was allowed to take summer break, and he has always hated just walking around w/o a shirt. So, he's usually three colors during the summer

[SAHMinHawaii]

Originally Posted by donosmommy04

For me, wearing a hat and sunblock just aren't negotiable, it's just as much a matter of safety because of our skin type as not running in the street or not wearign a seatbelt, or not wearing a helmet with a bike.

ITA. My FIL died last year from melanoma and my 4 yr old remembers him being so sick. So all it takes is a gentle reminder that she must have sun screen on. We also have a "hat rule"..no hat..no outside. The girls know that rule and i strictly enforce it. Sun safety is just that their safety and its not an option.

[jenmk]

Sunscreen is also a non-negotiable issue here. I try to find the most natural kind I can without chemicals. It's more expensive, but that's something I think is worth splurging on.

Also . . . just wondering about the SPF clothing . . . is it treated or is it such a tight weave that the sun's rays can't get through? I'd be just as worried about having my kids wear clothing that's treated with chemicals to block the sun as I would about slathering on chemical-filled sun screens. Doesn't seem to be a good alternative if you're concerned about chemical exposure too.

[mamatoliam]

I didn't read all the replies so this could have been mentioned already but they make a sunscreen that you just spray (spritz) on, instead of having to rub everywhere. It then just takes two seconds of rubbing to ensure no missed spots. You could just apply it in the morning before you get dressed, so it becomes part of the routine? She could take turns spraying you.

[nextcommercial]

The lotion is pretty intolerable. I have to agree with her.

I have found a few sprays that I like. I LOVE the bullfrog spray on lotion. It's a light mist that works very well, and it isn't sticky. I think Neutrogena makes a new spray on also. It is in a silver metal can.

I also like the idea of the sunsuits. They are getting cheaper, and work very well. If she goes outside, she can wear the long sleeved top, and maybe a hat...but must still wear sunscreen on her face and legs/feet.

Good luck! and stick to your guns, a sunburn is not worth the lesson learned.

[nextcommercial]

Originally Posted by bellona

I'm getting a little sidetracked here, but someone mentioned zinc oxide and I have a question.

I read somewhere that lots of times surfers use Desitin or other diaper rash stuff because it is made from zinc oxide. We don't have any diaper rash stuff here because it's never been an issue for us, but I was thinking that diaper rash stuff seems like it's less expensive than the zinc oxide that I've seen. Is there a downside? And if you were to use it would you have to cover yourself until you were totally white or does it rub in?

You leave it on with a thick coat. It stays white....and needs to be reapplied.

Surfers usually put it on their cheeks and nose, tops of feet and shoulders. I have not seen them using desitin, but I have seen the tubes of zinc in the diaper section...I wonder if that is what they are using.

[nicole lisa]

Originally Posted by jenmk

Also . . . just wondering about the SPF clothing . . . is it treated or is it such a tight weave that the sun's rays can't get through? I'd be just as worried about having my kids wear clothing that's treated with chemicals to block the sun as I would about slathering on chemical-filled sun screens. Doesn't seem to be a good alternative if you're concerned about chemical exposure too.

Just came back to this thread this evening...

It's the weave of the suits/shirts that makes them protective. The fabric is woven tight enough that the clothing recieves a SPF 0f 50. Darker colours absorb less rays as well. As a comparison, a white cotton shirt has the SPF of 5.

For those of you using sunscreen and mentioning you use SPF 50. In the US is a sunscreen of 50 still available? In many countries food and drug admins no longer allow a bottle to be labelled that as there is no significant increase in protection after a SPF of 30...it's just extra chemicals.

[NiteNicole]

I agree with the above poster who said to try a spray. Much easier to apply. There are also a few companies that make powders - the powder comes in the handle of the brush and you dust it on. That might also be easier than rubbing in a lotion.

[morning glory]

You leave it on with a thick coat. It stays white....and needs to be reapplied.

Surfers usually put it on their cheeks and nose, tops of feet and shoulders. I have not seen them using desitin, but I have seen the tubes of zinc in the diaper section...I wonder if that is what they are using.

I think there are also thinner versions of the physical blockers that work in the same way as a chemical sunscreen...ie you don't see them on the skin.

But if you were to use the diaper cream I think it would have to be the thick layer like you see people wearing on their nose....sometimes in flouro colours.

Casey

[slightly crunchy]

Right now, there is no evidence that regular use of sunscreen protects against melanoma. There is a bit of research to show that it protects against other skin cancers...but really, melanoma is the big one to worry about.

We use sunscreen if we have to be out in peak UV hours, but try to stay away from the chemical sunscreens and use zinc oxide/titanium dioxide based. I have had a hard time finding a spray or stick in that form, though. I don't use any sunscreen when they are babies--I use more clothing, coverage from sling, hats, etc.

But really, since there is no evidence that sunscreen is doing any disease prevention, I still think the best approach is to go out in non-peak hours, stay in shade (helps a little), wear more clothes/hats (personally I can be cool enough in longer sleeves if it is a flowy cotton shirt, and my kids wear longer shorts). Even slathered with sunscreen, I don't feel great about my kids being out in minimal clothing at noon in the summer. I need to check into the UPF clothing. We had some bathing suits like that, but unless they have changed, that material is very warm to wear--it was only tolerable in and around the water.

But yeah, ITA that saying "we will go outside after we put on clothes/hat/sunscreen is the way to go. Safety issue.

[AsYouWish]

I have very fair skin...

and burned very severely as a kid. I am glad this is a non-negotiable for so many here. Just wanted to pass on something that I read in an interview with an olympic swimmer (I think for synchronized swimming). For long hours in the pool/sun, one tip I learned was to lather up with sunscreen and follow that with a diaper rash ointment for the additional sunblock/water repellant properties. Apparently, this combination is all the more effective and longer lasting.