What sunscreen are you using for your kids, if any?

[becoming]

After all this talk about sunscreen being so harmful, I'm scared to put anything on my kids. What are you using, if anything?

[North_Of_60]

We use UV protectant rash guard bathing suits (short and long sleeves) with a WIDE brimmed hat. I also try to stay out of the sun when it's strongest (between noon and 5 pm). I find the pools and beaches are quieter then anyway, and since I hate crowds it works out good for us.

So far I haven't used much sunscreen and we live in Florida. The few times we have gone out in the middle of the day I've used a tiny bit, and to be honest, I'm not entirely convinced that using sunscreen a couple of times a year (I think in her entire life I've used it, maybe, 5 or 6 times) to prevent what I know would be a severe burn is worse then actually getting repeatedly burned.

I'm subbing to this, because I'm curious too.

[WhaleinGaloshes]

As someone with skin problems, I have had long conversations about sun exposure with more than one dermatologist. I'm sold on the importance of sun protection and starting from babyhood. DD and I both use sunscreen, year-round on exposed skin, applying liberally and re-applying regularly as dictated by the situation.

I have pored over the cosmetic database and there are many mineral-based, natural ingredient options. My favorite is Badger Balm. Of the non-mineral products, Aveeno Baby scores the best with no fragrance or additives. I use each on DD depending on whether we're going in the water and how long we'll be out.

Clothing, shade and hats are also key in our strategy.

The danger of sunburn and cumulative UV exposure is very real to me, and I'm experiencing the backlash of spending a childhood without a thought given to sun protection.

[NiteNicole]

We use Ocean Potion or Kiss My Face.

[Dragonfly]

Originally Posted by easy_goer

[/URL] and there are many mineral-based, natural ingredient options. My favorite is Badger Balm.

That's what we've been using, too. Along with the UV suits when we go swimming and hats the rest of the time. We had been using California Baby and I loved it, but it ranked pretty low on UVA protection.

With the Badger Balm, I've found that it's really important to put it on in advance. And definitely use the 30+, not the 15+.

[RubyWild]

Just building up a bit of a tan to protect from sunburn.

[North_Of_60]

Originally Posted by RubyWild

Just building up a bit of a tan to protect from sunburn.

I was told by my dermatologist that just being exposed to UVA/UVB rays can be damaging, and that you don't have to be burned to be at risk for skin complications (like cancers and such).

I was also told by DD's pediatrician that even though she's olive skin toned and not at risk to burn like me (I'm FAIR and burn easliy) that she should still be protected because just being exposed is bad.

[jamsmama]

Originally Posted by RubyWild

Just building up a bit of a tan to protect from sunburn.

:

plus hats, really light-weight long sleeve shirts & leggings when it's not too scorching hot outside. I have instinctually never felt quite right about sunscreens.

[mamazee]

As a red head with a father who is suffering from skin cancer, and whose child has an increased risk due to those issues, I put sun screen on my daughter. I just look for the most natural one I can find. No one in my family tans so tanning isn't an option. And a tan is a kind of skin damage, and I don't want my daughter to have any skin damage.

This is probably one of those things you have to assess on a case-by-case basis. My family has particular risks for skin cancer, so the danger of sun screen is less for us than the danger of not using sun screen. That isn't necessarily the case for everyone.

[Mary]

I just bought Alba sunscreen and am really happy with it. We also have a bottle of No-AD. I have mixed feelings about the whole issue. I always put sunscreen on my kids when they are outside during primetime, 10-2. They are outside a lot. I'm not perfectly religious about it though, if they are out in the mornings and evenings but not during midday, I don't put it on. They do get darker in the summer. I'm not sweating it. I don't slather on the sunscreen every day all the time, but I won't let them get burned. I'm not going to use uv protectant suits either. Most of the time they are in their playclothes outside, and we swim at an indoor pool, so swimming in the sun isn't an issue. It feels more wrong for me to have them out in the burning sun midday without sunscreen, than to use sunscreen.

[RubyWild]

Originally Posted by North_Of_60

I was told by my dermatologist that just being exposed to UVA/UVB rays can be damaging, and that you don't have to be burned to be at risk for skin complications (like cancers and such).

I was also told by DD's pediatrician that even though she's olive skin toned and not at risk to burn like me (I'm FAIR and burn easliy) that she should still be protected because just being exposed is bad.

I personally find sunscreens toxic and use them only if I'm kayaking for many hours and use them only because I must use them to avoid burning.

[mamazee]

Originally Posted by RubyWild

Dermatologists are in the business of selling chemicals.

I personally find sunscreens toxic and use them only if I'm kayaking for many hours and must use them to avoid burning.

The other thing about doctors is that they don't seem to be able to get specific about individual people and families. In some cases (mine for instance) I think that we *do* need sunscreen. But doctors look at numbers. There would be less skin cancer if people used sunscreen, therefore they tell everyone to use sunscreen. They can't seem to look at individuals- some people are at greater risk for skin cancer, but some people are unlikely to get skin cancer in any circumstance and don't really need to take extra precautions, especially when those precautions come with risks of their own. And then, in cases like yours, there are circumstances where the risk of the chemicals in sunscreen seem worth it, and circumstances where the risks aren't worth it. It isn't a case of one-size-fits-all.

[Jwebbal]

All one has to do to see the cumulative effects of not using sunscreen is look at any construction worker, gardener, or someone else who spends their lifetime in the sun and doesn't use sunscreens. They spend a large amount of time being tan, which does protect them somewhat from sunburns, but they still manage to end up with a great deal of skin damage and later on various forms of skin cancer. Does genetics play a part? Sure, but exposure is just as important. My father never wore sunscreen really. The back of his neck looks like the grand canyon in miniature. My family isn't in one of the higher risk categories for sun exposure. My FIL has spots that are most definitely precancerous, and he is Filipino/Native American/Hispanic. I wouldn't be surprised if my father has skin cancer in the future. I think not using any sunscreen because of fear of their toxicity is throwing the baby out with the bathwater. There are safer products out there. There are those of us who live in areas where we are constantly exposed to the sun, and unless one covers up all the time and fully, there is no avoiding it. I think it IS important for us to protect our children, they face a lifetime of MORE sun damage than we did ourselves. We use Neutrogena, the natural UV brand (from Australia) and a couple others recommended by the skin site and consumer reports.

[Mirzam]

Originally Posted by North_Of_60

I was told by my dermatologist that just being exposed to UVA/UVB rays can be damaging, and that you don't have to be burned to be at risk for skin complications (like cancers and such).

I was also told by DD's pediatrician that even though she's olive skin toned and not at risk to burn like me (I'm FAIR and burn easliy) that she should still be protected because just being exposed is bad.

I guess the doctors don't put much store in the importance of vitamin D to their patient's health?

Here's some links for you:

The Miracle of Vitamin D:

http://www.westonaprice.org/basicnut...ndmiracle.html

Sunlight and Melanoma

http://www.westonaprice.org/moderndi...-melanoma.html

Let me just give you a quick rundown on these articles--both of which appeared in the February issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (JNCI). One evaluated the hypothesis that UV radiation increases your risk of developing lymphoma. But after studying about 7,000 subjects, the researchers concluded that the opposite is actually true: increased sun exposure reduces the risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The other study evaluated the supposed link between sun exposure and the chances of surviving melanoma. The researchers concluded that increased sun exposure actually increases the survival rate from melanoma.

Not having enough vitamin D can result in osteoporosis, autoimmune diseases, and rheumatoid arthritis, among other things. So when you slather on high-SPF sunscreens, not only are you increasing your risk of melanoma, you're also increasing your risk of developing all of the conditions that can arise from a vitamin D deficiency because you're literally blocking vitamin D synthesis in the skin.

There is a fierce resistance to this obvious fact by the sunscreen manufacturers and the dermatologists who have a reputation (and, in some cases, a sinecure) to protect. Both groups stress sunburn as an important factor in melanoma formation since that's all they have left as a reason to sell you sunscreen lotions. This is a very leaky boat in which to carry their message because (1) millions of people get sunburned every year but very few contract melanoma, and (2) if a melanoma appears, it's still most likely to appear in areas not exposed to the sun.

To the OP, I rarely use suncreen ever, I have two fair skinned children, one of which is a very fair redhead, and I do use suncreen on them, Dr Haushka's 30 SPF for Children. DD also wears a rash guard top or suit, so she doesn't have to cover herself in it. With DS, I just put it on his shoulders, nose and back and he is fine.

[WhaleinGaloshes]

I respect that people are skeptical of doctors' advice, I am too, but I am convinced that UV exposure is harmful.

I am cautious about ingredients in OTC products in general but not concerned about sunscreen in particular more than others. I love the EWG database as a research tool, but honestly find a lot of their data often taken out of context. FWIW, EWG recommends using plenty of sunscreen (they use the word 'slop') and re-applying often. In fact the stated purpose of the EWG site is to help people find the safest and most effective sunscreen products, not to warn people away from using it.

Jwebbal, my husband is a 53 year old life-long landscaper from Louisana, and you aren't kidding about the obvious damage and health concerns. I am younger and was an office-bound architect before SAHM, but I had enough exposure as a kid to affect me for life.

[Jwebbal]

Living in So Cal, I have no problems getting enough Vitamin D thank you very much. I still wear sunscreen. My child doesn't have a problem getting enough Vit D either.

Weston Price for melanoma facts? No, thanks.

My partner used to have a tanning buddy. They sunbathed a great deal. Her friend came up with melanoma on her back. They had to take a huge portion of skin, and she was advised to stay out of the sun. She didn't. My partner still sunbathed with her from time to time. Her friend's melanoma returned a while later, and she died at the age of 25. Serious stuff. After hearing this story, I asked my partner how she felt? She felt guilty to a degree, and after some conversation she decided tanning wasn't a good idea. I stopped getting tan when I saw my mother in a new light when I was about 18. I realized that if I didn't change my amount of exposure to the sun I would end up with her skin, full of large freckles and moles. I stopped, and while I have some, nowhere near the same amount as my mother. I also look at least five years younger.

[WhaleinGaloshes]

Originally Posted by uccomama

I guess the doctors don't put much store in the importance of vitamin D to their patient's health?

This strikes me as analogous to people who say upon learning someone is vegetarian "oh, I guess you don't care about the importance of protein to your health."

My family, too, have no health issues due to vitamin D deficiency. A) despite sunscreen use we do get vitamin D from the sun and B)we also get it from food sources (like CLO.) Even the Weston Price article doesn't specify that sun exposure is necessary for vitamin D efficiency.

[Mirzam]

Living in So Cal, I have no problems getting enough Vitamin D thank you very much. I still wear sunscreen. My child doesn't have a problem getting enough Vit D either.

Good for you. I use suncreen on my children too and we live in sunny CO.

Weston Price for melanoma facts? No, thanks.

The author is Dr William Campbell Douglass and he quoted published studies. AFAIK, Weston A Price is long dead and hasn't written an article on Vitamin D in a while (if he ever did). Is this the case of "shoot the messenger" because you don't like the rest of the message the Weston A Price Foundation puts out?

Do you think the American Cancer Society or the American Society of Dermatology is any more "ethical" than the WAPF, I personally don't. Just follow the money.....

[North_Of_60]

Originally Posted by uccomama

I guess the doctors don't put much store in the importance of vitamin D to their patient's health?

Here's some links for you:

The Miracle of Vitamin D:

http://www.westonaprice.org/basicnut...ndmiracle.html

Sunlight and Melanoma

http://www.westonaprice.org/moderndi...-melanoma.html

Even though I am not a fan of the WAP foundation, I'll read the links anyway (haven't yet, though). But I do have to say that, there is a BIG difference between using sunscreen to prevent a BURN when the sun is high, and not getting enough sun EXPOSURE for sufficient vit D.

Like I said, we don't use sunscreen often AND we life in Florida. We get PLENTY of sun exposure, but when the sun is high and we are outside, a burn while not using sunscreen, short of just not going outside, is inevitable (at least for *MY* skin).

I am not convinced that the occasional use of sunscreen, even conventional creams, are worse then repeated burns (not exposure, BURNS).

[GuildJenn]

My son gets rashes from the rashguard stuff and is very fair.

We generally go for a short walk in the morning around 8 am, with no sunscreen on but a hat. Between 10 and 5 we use Aveeno Baby, which I found the least egregious of the sunscreens we can afford in the quantities in which we use it. I'm looking into a solarveil jacket too, or getting the fabric and making a tunic.