An Oxford-based expert has warned about sun protection as hot weather is predicted for the week ahead.
Dr Tina Tian, a skin specialist at Stratum Dermatology Clinic Oxford, has offered tips on encouraging youngsters to wear sunscreen, along with warnings about leaving children’s skin exposed without defence.
This guidance arrives not only ahead of Melanoma Awareness Month (May) but also with a heatwave anticipated across much of southern England.
Temperatures in counties including Oxfordshire could climb to 23°C shortly, according to the latest ECMWF weather model cited in the Daily Express.
Its information indicates temperatures will probably peak on April 29.
With this in mind, Dr Tian and Dr Ross Perry, a general practitioner and medical director at Cosmedics, have stressed the importance of getting children to use sunscreen.
Dr Perry explained that children’s skin is significantly more delicate and vulnerable than adult skin.
The outer protective layer has not fully formed, which means ultraviolet (UV) rays can penetrate more easily and may cause damage at a deeper cellular level.
Many people are unaware that some of the sun damage we accumulate throughout our lives actually occurs before the age of 18.
Even just a handful of instances of serious sunburn during childhood can increase the likelihood of developing skin cancers, including melanoma, later in life.
Dr Perry backed these concerns and provided advice on encouraging youngsters to apply sunscreen.
These recommendations include making it part of their everyday schedule, involving them in the process, and turning it into an enjoyable game.
Dr Tian mentioned that she often asks her daughter what kind of face she would like her to draw with the sunscreen to make it more entertaining.
She also suggested choosing sunscreen that does not sting.
When sunscreen gets into children’s eyes it can hurt considerably, so look for products described as non-stinging, she advised.
The P20 brand performs especially well because it is highly resistant to water, meaning it remains effective and will not get into their eyes and cause stinging.
The experts also recommended explaining the purpose behind it, using words appropriate for their age, and doing it together.
Dr Tian observed that with her son she finds it very helpful to let him put some sunscreen on her first to create a two-way experience.
She further suggested letting children handle the caps and warming the product beforehand.
Many sunscreens include caps that can have funny faces drawn on them, and you can allow your children to play with them while you are applying the product, she explained.
She added that sunscreen often feels very cold, so warming it up in your hands a little before beginning to apply it to your child can help stop it from being too much of a shock to them.