Against melanoma, protects children from the sun
The incidence of skin cancer has increased to stand at 132,000 cases of new melanomas annually. It is estimated that one in every 33 children will have melanoma and one of the risk factors for this disease is given by intense sun exposure without protection.
Against melanoma, it protects children from the sun, since children's skin is more vulnerable because it is thinner, has less melanin and the immature immunity system still. The 80 percent of solar radiation that is received during life occurs during the first 18 years and, if we take into account that the 90 percent of children spend about an hour and a half daily exposed to the sun, photo protection is essential. Therefore, using a photoresist properly in the first years reduces by a 85 percent the risk of skin cancer or melanoma.
Healthy habits of photoprotection
Parents are very concerned about protecting children from the sun's radiation in the first years of the child's life, but at 10 years they forget about it in 35 percent of cases. And is that ultraviolet radiation, whose ability to cause skin cancer is well known, represents 5% of the radiation we receive from the sun. But nevertheless, Infrared radiation accounts for almost 50% of total radiation that comes to us from the sun, and until now we hardly had data about its importance in aging and skin cancer. Infrared rays penetrate in more significant doses and deeper into the skin than UVA and UVB. They also distort elastin, which "favors the elasticity of the skin", and accelerate photo-aging. Therefore, it is very important to raise awareness in society to adopt effective measures to prevent the damage they cause in people, and especially in children.
No protection against infrared radiation
Until now, commercial photoresists have been tested to assess their ability to filter out UVB radiation, to which they are bound by European legislation. Since very recently, they must also indicate their ability to filter UVA. However, current photoprotectors have not been tested, nor are there internationally approved procedures for this, in terms of their effectiveness to filter infrared radiation. Some cosmetic firms propose new solutions that, in addition to protecting UVA and UVB, fight against infrared. Today, if we want to take care of skin cancer, we must choose a product that protects against ultraviolet rays type A and B. Currently, most laboratories are working to include infrared filters in their photoprotection products.
Recommended photoprotectors for babies and children
Children's photoprotectors must have a factor greater than 30, and include UVB and UVA. They must be resistant to water and friction, safe and easy to apply. Children have to learn to be always protected from the sun and we must instill in them the need to wear sunscreen. That is why spray formats are more practical because they are easy to apply and to be handled by children.
To be effective from the first moment, the sunscreen creams have to be applied at home half an hour before going out in the sun in sufficient quantity, only so the skin has time to absorb it and be perfectly protected against solar radiation. The quantity of product must be abundant: never less than 20 ml of cream for the whole body. This is an amount equivalent to a golf ball or a small glass of liquor.
In children and especially in babies, it must be applied to the scalp and nape of the neck, ears, cheekbones, nose, shoulders, upper thighs, soles of the feet and instep. more prone to burns. The application should be repeated every two hours and after each bath even if the cream is water resistant.
But we must not forget that the most effective photoprotection, both in children and adults, is the one provides the shadow and suitable fabrics, such as clothing, hats and hats.
In babies, in addition to the application of the cream, you have to avoid direct sunlight, protecting them with a hat, shirt, trousers and sandals on the beach / pool and on the daily walk.
Dr. Miguel Sánchez Viera, dermatologist director of the Institute of Integral Dermatology of Madrid (IDEI)
