Protect Kids from the Sun
The Sun may be the life giving source of energy to the planet. But the flip side is that the sun's rays produces invisible rays – the ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) that could cause short and long term skin damage. So it's never too early to protect yourself and you children form the harmful effects.
The short term damage caused to the skin could be sunburn, cell and tissue damage or photosensitive reactions (rashes). Research and experts are convinced that over exposure to sun in childhood or adolescence increases the chances of skin cancer and premature ageing of skin at a later age. Many experts are of the opinion that UVA educes the effectiveness of the human immune system.
Prevention is better than cure. Early steps can be taken to reduce the sun's harmful effects. Children will be children, and it is almost impossible to restrict them indoors, therefore using sunscreens or sun-protective clothing can reduce the chances of future damage to your child's skin. It is important to understand the labeling and technical information before you go shopping for these items. Although the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) monitors the advertised claims carefully, it is important to take your own precautions.
Sunscreens : Sunscreens cannot protect your skin completely although they offer partial protection by blocking a part of the sun's rays from the skin. The protection ability is expressed as the sun protection factor or SPF : the greater the SPF, the greater the protection sun. There is no sunscreen that blocks the sun's rays fully. People using the highest SPF rated sunscreens also get some exposure. To further reduce the damage:
Use sunscreens that are water-resistant and have an SPF of at least 15.
Sunscreen should be applied liberally and at least 30 minutes before going into the sun. Irrespective of the brand or quality of sunscreen product used, always reapply it after swimming, toweling or any physical which causes heavy perspiration. Toweling off would remove all sunscreens including the water-resistant ones.
Always remember to apply sunscreen to kid's skin even if they are under the umbrella. The sun's rays reflect off sand and water and may cause indirect damage.
Sun-protective Clothing: Sun-protective clothing is an alternate method of protecting children from harmful effects of the sun. Sun-protective fabrics are different from typical summer fabrics. Sun-protective fabrics are tightly knit and are dark in colors. Sun-protection clothing tailored using these fabrics list the garment's Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) value. Again the greater the UPF value, greater is the protection from the harmful ray's of the sun.
The UPF rating is an indicator of the amount of UV radiation absorbed by the fabric. To cite an example, a garment displaying an UPF of 20, allows 5% or 1/20 th of the sun's ultraviolet radiation to pass through it. It also means that, without the use of this garment, you will be exposed to 20 times the radiation.
To protect Kids from the damage of exposure, keep in mind the following:
1. The sun is the strongest from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Scheduling the children's outdoor activities accordingly will help reduce exposure.
2. Make sure the children are dressed for maximum protection. Keep in mind the UPF factor on their clothing to ensure sufficient protection.
3. Keep children under six months away from the sun. Sunscreens tend to irritate baby skin, moreover the developing eyes of the child are vulnerable to sunlight.
4. Discourage teens from visiting tanning parlors. Tanning devices damage skin and eyes like the sun.
Top quality Sun-protection clothing is essential for children and adults. Be sure to shop carefully and consider your whole family. There are some excellent sources for clothing made with these sun protection features.
After serious review and research, the best company and source for these products that is “Surfing Smooth”, who specialize in beach and outdoor sporting goods. Visit there website: http://www.myrashguards.com for great savings and excellent quality sun protection apparel / clothing .
Article Source: Tyler Collins ~ Collins Inc. “Coastal Balance & Safety”
http://www.mysurfvideos.com
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