Sunscreen Mistakes vs Sunscreen Immunity

A. I think that it is very unlikely that your kids are immune to sunscreen. Instead, it may be that you are either not using enough sunscreen, you are putting it on too late, or you are not reapplying it often enough.

Keep in mind that most experts say that the average parent only uses about the half the recommended amount of sunscreen that they are supposed to.

And many parents don't reapply sunscreen on their child throughout the day. Remember that you are supposed to reapply sunscreen regularly and at least every 2 hours, or more often if your child is swimming or sweating.

Another common mistake that parents make is to wait until they are outside or until they see signs of sunburn until they put sunscreen on their child. To really protect your child, you should apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before your child will be exposed to the sun.

You should also use sunscreen even if it is cloudy outside and avoid sun exposure when the sun is at its strongest, from about 10am to 4pm. Or if staying inside from 10am to 4pm isn't practical, then at least limit your sun exposure during that time of day.

If you are really doing all that, then it may help to also use more physical protection, including clothing, such a hat with a 3 inch brim, lightweight long pants and long-sleeved shirts, and/or a stroller, tent, umbrella or tree that can shade your child from the sun.

And make sure that you are using a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.

Also keep in mind that using an insect repellent with a sunscreen can lower the SPF of the sunscreen, so you may need to use a sunscreen with a higher SPF or reapply the sunscreen more often.

Common Sunscreen Misktakes

• not using sunscreen
• not using enough sunscreen
• not using sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher
• not applying sunscreen at least 20-30 minutes before going outside
• not reapplying sunscreen at least every 2 hours, or sooner if your child is swimming or sweating
• if using a sunscreen with an insect repellent, which can lower the SPF of the sunscreen, not using a sunscreen with a high SPF can be a mistake
• spending time in the sun when it is at its strongest, from about 10am to 4pm