Sunscreens and the risk of sunburn

Choose a sunscreen made especially for babies and toddlers.

Make sure that the sunscreen you buy is suitable for babies and toddlers. Opt for products that are free from fragrances, colourings or preservatives, as they could unnecessarily irritate sensitive baby skin. Even if the sunscreen is waterproof, you should reapply it after your child has been in the water. Applying more product does not increase protection!

Be thorough when applying sunscreen – don’t forget their ears, the soles of their feet and around their eyes, if they are not covered up.

Dangers of sunburn

Sunburn is not only unpleasant and painful for your baby, it also increases the risk of developing skin cancer.

They say that “the skin never forgets” and that’s true. The risk of developing skin cancer is increased by repeated sunburn and above-average UV exposure, especially in childhood and early adolescence.
One reason for this is that the repair mechanisms for sun damage are not yet fully developed in babies and toddlers. Damage to the skin, however, begins well before a sunburn occurs – the risk of long-term damage (e.g. skin cancer) is already increased before the skin turns red.

This can be prevented by acting responsibly in the sun (see tips on what to do in the sun).

Should sunburn occur in spite of this:

Use compresses soaked in cool water, diluted black tea or buttermilk to soothe mild sunburns. Cooling lotions or creams can also provide relief. Never use oily or greasy creams! In severe cases (especially if accompanied by vomiting, chills or fever) your child must see a doctor!