In a slight deviation from our usual target audience today I bring you some tips for keeping the kiddies safe in the sun. Might not be much use with the summer we’ve been having, but if you are heading off to the sun these tips I received recently from Vichy should come in handy.
First up it goes without saying that you really shouldn’t be using anything less than SPF50 for the kiddies, even in the Irish sun. There are sun-creams out there to suit every budget so you have no excuse not to keep your VIPs adequately protected! After all children’s skin is much more sensitive to UV rays than adult skin, even in the cloudy Irish weather the rays can still get through.
A new one on the market is Vichy Capital Soleil Gentle Milk SPF50+ which is specifically designed for children. Free from parabens, colorants and fragrances, it is also formulated to be waterproof and not to sting eyes – a must with young kiddies as they are forever touching their faces. It contains a reinforced filter system made up of a combination of filters including Mexorul SX-XL at optimized dosages to reinforce protection and provide efficacy against longwave UVA. 100ml will set you back €18.50. All in all its a pretty decent product; my friend has been using it on her toddlers and likes it a lot.
Now for some handy application tips to make sure your little guys are fully protected. Who knows, it might even help you apply your own sunscreen better! I learned an important lesson whilst on holidays years ago when my bikini line got burned; now I’m sure to cover even the bits that might not be on display! You just never know.
Dosing: Dermatologists recommend a dose of 2mg/cm2 which is equal to around 1 dab (which is about a 2 euro coin blobs worth). As guide you should be applying the following amounts to ensure full protection:
- On the face and neck 8 dabs of cream
- On both arms 8 dabs
- On the torso 16 dabs
- On the front of the legs 16 dabs
- On the back of the legs 16 dabs (8 for each leg)
- On the back 16 dabs
Application: The “Dalmatian” technique involves dabbing products over the skin like a dalmatian’s spots. Little dabs of product are dotted over the child’s entire body and the mam/dad explains that the child will be transformed into a dalmatian! Fun times eh?
Distribution: The “snail shell” technique is a way to spread the cream out in broad circular strokes. The child can help spread the cream themselves; simply smooth the dalmatian’s spots following the shape of a snail’s shell.
So there you have it. What are you guys using to keep the little ones safe in the sun?
