We may have only recently welcomed the new year, but Spring and Summer will be here before we know it! With beach days, barbeques, and outdoor sports filling our children’s thoughts and calendars, it is definitely time to start thinking about your sun-safe action plan to combat the harmful effects of UV rays. According to the American Cancer Society, the pattern of exposure to UV rays can be extremely important. “Frequent sunburns in childhood may increase the risk of some forms of skin cancer later in life,” shares Dr. Kristy Charles, a board-certified dermatologist at Sanova Dermatology in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Children and teens love being outside, and as parents, we want to allow them the freedom of adventure, but we also want to keep them safe. “Keeping them safe means teaching them to put sunscreen on first thing in the morning and reapplying throughout the day,” shares Dr. Charles. This is especially important when they are swimming or perspiring. However, this can be difficult when our children are teenagers, and we are not always there to remind them.
Here are our “Top 3 Tricks to Get Your Teen to Use Sunscreen”:
- Show them pictures. Many teens are visual learners. Show them images of skin cancer and early skin aging caused by sun exposure to help them understand the real-life effects of UV rays and also enable them to catch any potentially concerning spots. Also, informing them that sun damage leads to premature aging and wrinkles may be just the ticket to get them to use their SPF consistently.
- Provide them with sunscreen, and buy the kind they like. The mind of a teenager is racing with many thoughts, and they are likely to forget something each time they leave the house. Have them keep sunscreen in their car, in their backpack, and in their beach bag. Also, they are more likely to use it if it’s a brand they like.
- Lead by example. Create the habit of using sunscreen by showing them that you also use sunscreen. Incorporate it into your morning routine with a daily moisturizer that has SPF and start to build a good family habit.
Looking for more information about protecting yourself and your loved ones from the sun. contact us today, and we can help!