One of my kids has olive skin and takes after me (I don't burn) and the other one has fair skin and takes after her redheaded dad. We make them both sunscreen on every day and if we're going to be out in the sun longer than 30 minutes in the summer. I am definitely more lax about it in the winter than I should be. I am in my 40s and am definitely seeing a lot of sun damage on my skin - I never wore sunscreen but have started wearing it on my face every day and on my body if we're going to be out for a long time. My goal is to make it a habit early on so that my kids don't run into the same problems that I have.

Anonymous wrote:Kids are half Lebanese. I always put it on if we are out playing in the sun for more than 15 min.

Dark or not, the sun damages skin. The UV rays are causing the damage NOW that end up becoming sun spots and skin cancer as they get older. Even if not for sun cancer...

They will thank you when they are 40 for protecting their skin as children. And really, for creating the habit that it is needed so they will do it themselves when they are young adults.

Also have part Lebanese kids. Same strictness. They haven’t fought sunscreen bc they don’t know it’s an option - they also don’t fight seat belts. Skin cancer affects all.

If you are worried about sunscreen then wear sun clothes or a rash guard and just screen the face.

"Doesn't burn" doesn't mean there is no skin damage that will show up at age 50.

I’m very pale and my family has a history of skin cancer. My kids (thankfully) have more melanin than I do but I still put sunscreen on when we’re out in the sun for more than 30 minutes in the summer (eg playground, splash fountains, pool, etc). I don’t make them wear it for the walk to daycare (which takes any 45 minutes but is more than half in the shade) because I don’t want the chemical exposure every single day. But I do worry every time I see my daughter’s tanned arms.

I’m worried about constant use of sunscreen as well. At the same time, I know exposure to sun can be damaging over time. I’m not sure what the right thing to do is. We slather it all over when we go to the pool/beach/amusement park, but they don’t wear it otherwise.

Always. It’s not just skin cancer, though that’s part of it, it’s also, have you seen the result of sun damaged skin? No thanks.

Anonymous wrote:We are black, but I want it to become a habit for my kids.

Even tho they don’t burn, their skin is still susceptible to sun-induced damage; and long term exposure can cause sun spots, wrinkles and cancers

Are you worried they’re not getting enough vitamin D?

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-science-of-sunscreen

"Given that darker-skinned patients have a very low risk of skin cancer, using sunscreen for skin cancer prevention is not necessary. However, people looking to ward off the aging effects from sun would still benefit from sun-protective habits..."

Kids are half Lebanese. I always put it on if we are out playing in the sun for more than 15 min.

Dark or not, the sun damages skin. The UV rays are causing the damage NOW that end up becoming sun spots and skin cancer as they get older. Even if not for sun cancer...

They will thank you when they are 40 for protecting their skin as children. And really, for creating the habit that it is needed so they will do it themselves when they are young adults.

I never put sunscreen on my kids unless we are going to be outdoors or at the beach/pool for many hours. My kids don't burn. I'm not completely convinced that the rise in skin cancer isn't somehow related to the constant use of chemical sunscreens.

Anonymous wrote:I’m…..not 🤦‍♀️ If we are out for an hour at a very sunny playground I don’t put it on. I hate putting it on (the fight, the gloop etc). I feel so guilty about it though. If we are at the pool for hours or something then I do

Same. My kid doesn’t burn easily. And sunscreen in the eyes is no fun, when I can’t find the sunscreen stick. But absolutely for pool.

I’m not putting it on unless they are going to be out for multiple hours in the middle of the day. I’m kind of wary about the long term impact of lots of absorbed sunscreen chemicals.

We are black, but I want it to become a habit for my kids.

Even tho they don’t burn, their skin is still susceptible to sun-induced damage; and long term exposure can cause sun spots, wrinkles and cancers

I’m…..not 🤦‍♀️ If we are out for an hour at a very sunny playground I don’t put it on. I hate putting it on (the fight, the gloop etc). I feel so guilty about it though. If we are at the pool for hours or something then I do