How Safe Are You and Your Children from Skin Cancer?

Baby, Teen, and Me: Summer Skin Care for the Family
Hellooooo Summer! We have waited for its arrival and finally it is summer time! Sunny vacations and much needed pool time are on the agenda and hopefully the essentials are in your tote bag: a great book, a trendy hat, cool drink and SPF. According to the American Academy of Dermatology 1 in 5 children will grow up to get skin cancer. Yikes! That’s a scary thought isn’t it? That’s why I don’t use just any SPF; I want to look good after summer too. I make sure to carry an SPF with zinc oxide. It is the only FDA-approved ingredient to fight UVA (aging), UVB (burning) and most importantly, UVC (cancer-causing) rays. As a mother of two beautiful daughters (a 14 year old, and a 1 year old), I understand the challenges of getting kids to wear their sunscreen. I opt for Elta Aero when lounging by the pool and on beach vacations because it is so easy to re-apply every two hours and is water resistant. Especially when we plan on being in the sun for long periods of time or when we get wet and sweaty.
BABY
For my infant daughter, I make sunscreen application a mommy and me massage time. We share giggles and discoveries of her hands and feet. I dress her in a sun shielding bathing suit and adorable hat so her beautiful fresh skin stays protected while she still has fun splashing in the water. Elta Shield is a great sunscreen for babies. It is oil free, lightweight and blends perfectly into the skin. If looking for a sunscreen with moisturizer included, Elta Pure is fantastic.

TEEN
My teen daughter seems to think the sun helps cure her acne, which is a common myth. What happens is the tan darkens the skin making them stand out less. Sun also dries out skin which can make breakouts worse. When we over dry the skin it tries to fix this by producing more oil which can lead to more blackheads and acne appearing. In addition, many of the chemicals (such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid) in acne treatments increase sun sensitivity making the skin more vulnerable to UV-related damage. Elta Clear is a popular SPF for oily and acne prone skin. It has niacinamide in it, which is very helpful for treating acne and the red marks it leaves behind (known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation). Reduces inflammation, uneven skin tone and properly protects the skin from the damaging sun. I know she isn’t concerned with aging, but she should be, gosh here I go again with the “I wish I knew then what I know now…” speech.

ME
I remember when getting a base tan was part of my vacation prep work. I would get into that “coffin” known as the tanning bed and burn it, scorch it, fry it, sizzle it and dull it, creating brown spots and risking my health just to prepare for more sun exposure. What was I thinking? I didn’t know better. Now I enjoy the sun just as much, except I do so with my future in mind. No thank you to lines, wrinkles, pigmentation and worrisome skin cancer exams. My new favorite sunscreen is Elta Daily Tinted. As a fair lady, I appreciate the light coverage of the tint so I don’t have to wear foundation and the hydration it provides keeps my skin moist in the humid, hot air. I love that Dermatology Affiliates sells hats and gloves, perfect for gardening lovers or those who drive a lot. The left side of our face, arms and hands get a lot of sun exposure with road travel so the gloves are perfect for that. I purchased a few that coordinate with all my summer outfits and occasions, be it boat or derby. I can’t emphasize enough the need to protect the skin from the sun every day, even when it is cloudy outside (UV rays get through the clouds).
So there you have it! Summer skin care for baby, teen, and me! I hope you enjoy the gorgeous weather this season while keeping safety in mind.
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