Under 6 months of age
Infants should never be exposed directly to sunlight.
Photoprotection of Children on the Boat and at the Seaside
The relationship between sun exposure and children's skin is a complex subject that continues to be widely discussed because several biological factors are still not fully understood.
A child's epidermis is thinner than that of an adult, mainly because the stratum corneum is approximately 30% thinner. As a result, the epidermal barrier is less effective in reducing the penetration of ultraviolet radiation.
However, the number of melanocytes per square millimetre of epidermis is similar in children and adults.
Important information is still lacking regarding:
- the ability and speed with which melanocytes respond to sunlight;
- antioxidant capacity;
- the efficiency of DNA repair mechanisms;
- the effectiveness of cutaneous immune responses.
Children should be considered according to age group
Up to approximately 4 years
Children in this age group are generally under the constant supervision of their
parents or caregivers.
From 4 to 12 years
Children progressively acquire greater independence in their outdoor activities.
As a consequence, while younger children usually receive closer parental attention regarding photoprotection, older children often require even greater vigilance.
Practical protection during outdoor activities
Frequent diving, swimming, moving around on boats, playing on floating platforms, spending long periods on beaches or rocky shores, and remaining outdoors for many hours throughout the day should encourage parents to reapply sunscreen frequently and, above all, to ensure that their children wear photoprotective clothing.
Sunscreens formulated for children
- They are widely available, particularly—but not exclusively—in pharmacies.
- They usually have SPF 50+.
- Their vehicles are designed to reduce wash-off and remain on the skin for longer.
- Careful and repeated reapplication remains essential.
- They generally contain combinations of inorganic UV-protective molecules (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, particularly suitable for children's skin) and organic UV-protective molecules.
The use of sunscreen on sunny days does not impair the child's ability to synthesize vitamin D precursors in the skin.