Do your toddlers get color from the sun?

[Anonymous]

Respectfully, the fact that two of your kids tan and one doesn't, even though they wear the same sunscreen really isn't determinative.

If you use the "right" sunscreen, (or maybe really we're talking about sunBLOCK), it will prevent (or at least reduce) tanning... because it SHOULD be blocking those tanning rays as well as the "burning" rays. I don't doubt that, despite this, your kids tan differently due to their normal pigmentation. What I take issue with is your statement that "sunscreen does not keep one from tanning." My point is, a good sunscreen absolutely will keep one from tanning.

[Anonymous]

My pasty white kid did not tan much last summer, but we have a very shady backyard and our daycare at the time had a very shady play area.

As for me though, I can reapply strong sunblock over and over and I still get color if I am anywhere that is sunny.

All sunlotions /sunblocks etc. are not 100 percent effective at totally blocking every element of the sunshine. You are not putting a brick wall around the kid, you are putting something on them that limits the amount of sun.

I cannot imagine that any doctor really means that kids should never get a hint of sun. We aren't vampires

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Respectfully, the fact that two of your kids tan and one doesn't, even though they wear the same sunscreen really isn't determinative.

If you use the "right" sunscreen, (or maybe really we're talking about sunBLOCK), it will prevent (or at least reduce) tanning... because it SHOULD be blocking those tanning rays as well as the "burning" rays. I don't doubt that, despite this, your kids tan differently due to their normal pigmentation. What I take issue with is your statement that "sunscreen does not keep one from tanning." My point is, a good sunscreen absolutely will keep one from tanning.

I think the point is that sunscreens don't block absolutely all of the UV rays, so if you spend enough time in the sun -- like you're at the pool everyday -- you will eventually develop a tan because of the cumulative exposure to small amounts of UV rays. How much/easily one develops a tan depends on their pigmentation.

I remember the days growing up when all there was was Coppertone "suntan lotion" with no SPF (or maybe you could get it up to SPF 4). Then again, there wasn't a huge hole in the ozone layer back then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Respectfully, the fact that two of your kids tan and one doesn't, even though they wear the same sunscreen really isn't determinative.

If you use the "right" sunscreen, (or maybe really we're talking about sunBLOCK), it will prevent (or at least reduce) tanning... because it SHOULD be blocking those tanning rays as well as the "burning" rays. I don't doubt that, despite this, your kids tan differently due to their normal pigmentation. What I take issue with is your statement that "sunscreen does not keep one from tanning." My point is, a good sunscreen absolutely will keep one from tanning.

I think the point is that sunscreens don't block absolutely all of the UV rays, so if you spend enough time in the sun -- like you're at the pool everyday -- you will eventually develop a tan because of the cumulative exposure to small amounts of UV rays. How much/easily one develops a tan depends on their pigmentation.

I remember the days growing up when all there was was Coppertone "suntan lotion" with no SPF (or maybe you could get it up to SPF 4). Then again, there wasn't a huge hole in the ozone layer back then.

9:19 here. I agree with you. Which is why my kids tan despite my best efforts. The point I'm trying to make is that tans are not "OK". We should be trying to prevent them. Nor are they a product (purely) of one's skin pigmentation. I don't worry if my kids get a little tan, because they are prone to tanning, and they are outside all the time. But realistically, its a sign that I'm not doing a good enough job with my sunscreen. (Or, that I've done a poor job choosing a sunscreen, and gotten one that only blocks UVA rays). I understood the PP's comment to be saying that sunscreen does nothing to minimize or prevent tans. And I think that is misinformed.

[Anonymous]

Laughing about 13:59's reference to old days with Coppertone suntan lotion. Weird how much things have changed in one generation, huh? For some reason, my husband never updated his lingo and calls sunscreen "sun tan lotion." It always makes me stop for a moment to make sure he's really not putting that on the kids!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Respectfully, the fact that two of your kids tan and one doesn't, even though they wear the same sunscreen really isn't determinative.

If you use the "right" sunscreen, (or maybe really we're talking about sunBLOCK), it will prevent (or at least reduce) tanning... because it SHOULD be blocking those tanning rays as well as the "burning" rays. I don't doubt that, despite this, your kids tan differently due to their normal pigmentation. What I take issue with is your statement that "sunscreen does not keep one from tanning." My point is, a good sunscreen absolutely will keep one from tanning.

My dermatologist respectfully disagrees with you. We discussed this topic on Monday and no matter how much block you put on, you will in fact tan depending on the strength of the sun, length of time in the sun and melanin in your skin. A block will not stop a tan from appearing per my doctor. I can provide their name if you'd like to discuss it with them.

[Anonymous]

you could carry around a parasol.

[Anonymous]

Since when are we not supposed to get tans? I completely understand that burns are really bad, but tans? Where is the research on this?

To answer the OP's question: yes, my kids get lots of color from the sun. I keep them out of the sun and/or apply enough sunscreen to only prevent any burning. I strongly believe that the best way for kids to get vitamin D is through sun exposure, and if we completely block it from their skin, they are going to be vitamin D deficient, which brings its own set of severe problems.

[Anonymous]

I put my kid in a tinted plastic bubble. Problem solved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does it block out the vitamins you get the sun too? The sun isn't completely evil.

It is my understanding that it does. This is why it is recommended for those with a vitamin D deficiency to get out in the sun for 15 minutes a few days a week WITHOUT sunscreen.

[Anonymous]

My Dr. also says people who stay inside all day, all week, also need a little sun exposure without sunscreen.

[Anonymous]

I'm a skin cancer survivor.

Most dermatologists agree that no tan is safe. A tan is a visible sign of damage to your skin. Though skin cancer is rare in children, most skin cancers in adults are the result of childhood sun exposure. Skin cancer is on the rise in the U.S., especially among young women - and they are dying from it.

Having said all that, I personally believe that you can't underestimate the genetic component, especially fair skin. If my children had dark olive complexions, and they tanned easily, I wouldn't worry about skin cancer as much as I do. I don't think I would necessarily freak out if I saw tan lines.

For anyone who really cares, my dermatologist would say no prolonged sun exposure from 10-2 each day. (This is hard with schools and camp, but we try to work around it.) Waterproof (not water resistant) sunscreen of SPF 30 must be applied every hour. (SPFs higher than that don't make much of a difference.) Hats all the time. And my kids have a bunch of SPF tee shirts - they're cute and you can barely tell that they're different from normal tee shirts.

This stuff is easy to control when your children are young - harder once they reach school. But I consider it a life or death issue for my kids, so I try my best.

Oh yeah, one point to the poster who talked about vitamins - children don't need much sun exposure to get vitamins D anymore. I think the guidelines are 5-30 minutes twice a week. Your children will not get scurvy I promise you. You should ask your pediatrician about that one - it's sort of a old wives tale at this point.

[Anonymous]

9:32 here. Here's a recent MSNBC story about kids and tanning. Basically, you can't see the damage until you're an adult. (Though I still believe you can't underestimate your genetic history.)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19173898/

[Anonymous]

Alrighty then. I'm the OP and have been trying to avoid the chemicals in sunscreen by using California Baby and UV Naturals (from REI) - Recommend your sunscreen please!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Respectfully, the fact that two of your kids tan and one doesn't, even though they wear the same sunscreen really isn't determinative.

If you use the "right" sunscreen, (or maybe really we're talking about sunBLOCK), it will prevent (or at least reduce) tanning... because it SHOULD be blocking those tanning rays as well as the "burning" rays. I don't doubt that, despite this, your kids tan differently due to their normal pigmentation. What I take issue with is your statement that "sunscreen does not keep one from tanning." My point is, a good sunscreen absolutely will keep one from tanning.

My dermatologist respectfully disagrees with you. We discussed this topic on Monday and no matter how much block you put on, you will in fact tan depending on the strength of the sun, length of time in the sun and melanin in your skin. A block will not stop a tan from appearing per my doctor. I can provide their name if you'd like to discuss it with them.

I'm not the PP, but I'd like the name of your dermatologist. I'm shocked that someone with a medical license is telling you that sunscreen does not work (and should not be used) to prevent tans.