MetropolisMom

The sun has received volumes of bad press lately, and with good reason: Excessive sun exposure usually results in premature wrinkling, and all too often, it causes skin cancer. Now, with increasing depletion of the earth’s ozone layer, scientists say that we are all at greater risk of skin damage than ever before. But families may feel better knowing that the sun, in small doses, also, helps keep our bodies healthy and our spirits lifted.

The sun’s best-known benefit is its ability to help the body produce vitamin D, the nutrient that aids in the metabolism of calcium and phosphorous, which build strong teeth and bones, One intriguing and controversial study has suggested that a deficiency of vitamin D and sunlight might be linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. Such pluses don’t, however, give families license to bask in midday rays: Studies show that a mere 10 to 15 minutes of protected sun exposure a day will provide adequate vitamin D, as will a diet that includes fortified milk, salmon, or eggs.

Not only does the sun help replenish an important nutrient, it also activates the body’s internal clock, which regulates sleep patterns, for infants just learning to distinguish between daytime naps and longer periods of sleep at night, the sun provides a crucial cue. If parents make a habit of spending time with their babies outdoors during the day, providing naturally lit rooms for naps, and keeping bedrooms dark at night, they can help establish more consistent sleep patterns.

For older kids-and their parents-sunlight can be a boon in other ways, spending an hour or so in natural daylight immediately after a trans-time zone flight will offset jet lag. And as for sun’s effect on the human psyche, studies show that extended periods of sunlight deprivation can lead to depression.

According to research conducted by Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York, melancholy and lethargy are more common in winter, when the days are shorter and less sunny.

Where there are a number of good reasons to allow a little sun into your life, it is still crucial to take steps to protect yourself and your family. Avoid prolonged exposure (whether it is sunny or hazy), especially between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 pm; apply sunscreen faithfully, and wear protective clothing-pants, long sleeved shirts, wide brimmed hats, and sunglasses.

When choosing a sun protection cream, look for a “broad-spectrum” product, one that absorbs both UVB and UVA rays, with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Waterproof sunscreens offer the most durability and are essential for swimmers. Sunscreen protection lotions that are light, nongreasy, and easily absorbed by the skin are worth trying.

To safeguard delicate eyes and lips, there are several practical portable choices in the market today. These eye and lips sunscreen products can invisibly shield vulnerable facial areas against sunrays. For a slick touch of lip protection plus color, try one of the neutral shades of your favorite brand of lipstick with SPF 15.

Sun for Babies

Gentle as they are, sunscreens are not recommended for children younger than six months. Newborns should simply be kept out of the sun, and should wear hats and full-cover outfits whenever they are out during the day.

When you do start putting sunscreen on your kids, asserts that they can use the same products that adults do. You should first test the product on a small area of your child’s skin (try the wrist) and check to see that there are no adverse reactions over the following 24 hours. There are also available sunscreen products for kids that are available in the market today.

Regardless of which type of sunscreen you use, put on a generous amount 15 to 30 minutes before you head outdoors to allow the cream time to soak in. Reapply every two hours – more if you perspire heavily or go swimming- even if the product is described as waterproof or rubproof.

Keep in mind that reapplication does not extend the time you can safely stay in the sun; it only maintains the level of your protection. Finally, it is important to know that sunscreen can eventually deteriorate, especially if kept in a hot or sunny place, so it should be disposed of and replaced after two to three years.

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