Sunscreen can be used on the baby from 6 months of age because it is very important to protect fragile skin from aggressive sun rays, which can cause serious problems such as burns or skin cancer.
It is not recommended to pass before 6 months of age because most sunscreens contain chemicals that can irritate the skin and therefore, if used in excess, can cause a severe allergic reaction.
Therefore, before passing any type of sunscreen on the baby's skin, it is important to test the product on a small area of the skin and to see if changes occur during the next 48 hours. This test should be done whenever the product is changed.
Here's what to do in case of allergic reaction to sunscreen.
How To Choose The Best Sunscreen
The best sunscreen should have a specific formula for babies and, therefore, preference should be given to brands of children's products such as Johnson's, Nivea, Mônica's Class, Coopertone, SunDown or Natura, for example.
However, some tips for buying the best protector include:
- Choose a waterproof formula as it stays longer on the skin;
- Give preference to formulas with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, since they are ingredients that are not absorbed, decreasing the risk of allergy;
- Choose a protector with SPF higher than 30 and against UVA and UVB rays;
- Avoid sunscreens with insect repellents because they increase the risk of allergy.
In addition to knowing how to choose the best protector, it is also important not to forget to dress the baby properly to protect the skin, without exaggerating the layers of clothes, as they can greatly increase the body temperature.
Exposure time should also be done in the early morning and late afternoon, avoiding the hours between 10 and 16 o'clock, where the sun's rays are most intense.
How to Pass the Sunscreen
To pass the sunscreen correctly one should:
1. Infants less than 6 months old
Avoid as much as possible, preferring to wear light clothing and cover your face with sunglasses and wide brimmed hat. The baby should not be exposed to the sun, nor stay in the sand of the beach, under the umbrella, because the sun can still cross the fabric and harm the baby.
2. Babies older than 6 months
Use sunscreen abundantly, going all over the body to prevent the baby from exposing unprotected regions while playing on the beach, for example. One should return to pass the protector every 2 hours, even if the baby does not go in the water, because the sweating also removes the cream.
3. At all ages
The shield should be applied to the skin about 30 minutes before sun exposure to ensure complete protection from the first minute. In addition, it is important to pass the shield across the skin of the face, even around the eyes.
Sunscreen should be used every day, even during the winter, since the sun's rays can always attack the skin.
