How does a child's skin survive a day at the beach?

The delicate child’s skin
Compared to adult skin, a child's skin is extra vulnerable to the harmful effects of UV radiation. This is because adult skin is fully developed, unlike children's skin. As children's skin still needs to grow and cell division occurs more rapidly, there may sometimes be insufficient time to repair damaged skin cells. Scars then form in those cells, which are not visible but are carried by children from that moment on. The more scars accumulated, the greater the risk that children may develop skin cancer later in life.

Benefits of UV radiation
By the way, UV radiation is not all bad. It is essential for the production of vitamin D. A deficiency in vitamin D can slow down bone growth in children. Normally, the sunlight that children absorb through their face and hands provides enough vitamin D, so additional sun exposure is not necessary.

How can you prevent sunburn?
KWF has come up with a great slogan to prevent sunburn: 'SMEREN-KLEREN-WEREN' (Apply-Cover-Avoid).

Use a sunscreen with a protection factor (SPF) of at least 30
Apply sunscreen to your child half an hour before going outside
Apply sunscreen to your child before they go to school
Reapply every 2 hours (or more frequently after sweating, swimming, drying off, or playing sports)
Don't forget the commonly forgotten spots: ears, lips, and the tops of feet.
Protect the skin with, for example, a shirt with sleeves
Some clothing still allows UV radiation through. If you want to be sure of sun protection, choose UV-protective clothing
Hats or caps help protect the head and neck, sunglasses on (with UV-protective lenses)
The sun is most harmful between 12 and 3 PM. Seek shade during these hours
Keep children younger than 1 year completely out of direct sunlight
Is your baby sleeping in a stroller or pram? Overheating and dehydration are risks. Always ensure the stroller is not in the sun and the hood is down

Aftercare
Apply a cooling and soothing aftersun with aloe vera to your baby in the evening. Heat rash can be reduced by using a damp washcloth and/or talcum powder to prevent further irritation. A lukewarm bath can provide relief.

Just a reminder:

Set a good example for your child and apply sunscreen regularly yourself
Sunscreens have an expiration date. The protection factor can degrade after a year and may not provide the expected protection
UV rays can penetrate glass, so protect your baby in the car as well
A T-shirt offers protection equivalent to SPF 10 sunscreen. And a wet T-shirt only provides SPF 2
When it is very hot, place a towel over your child's car seat and use sunshades