HEALTHY FAMILY
Protecting Summer Skin
Stay sun-safe and healthy outdoors
Is BY COURTNEY MCGEE
it weird that I am 100 percent a ered the strongest sun hours, but Dr. Kahn
• Use a mineral sunblock with
SPF 30 or higher.

• Remember the hours between
10 a.m. and 4 p.m. are the
riskiest for sun exposure.

• Out in woods or fields? Check
or ticks as soon as you come
inside. • Clean and cover scrapes.

• Moisturize skin within three
minutes of bathing.

42 WashingtonFAMILY AUGUST 2020
Limiting sun exposure is key
says she’d extend the risk to 4 p.m.

Chemical vs. mineral
There is a huge retail market for sun
protection lotions and sprays. How do we
choose? Which ones are safest? Studies have
shown that chemical sunscreens can be
potentially dangerous. Yes, they do a good
job, but can they get into the bloodstream? In
Hawaii, they don’t even want you to get in the
water wearing chemical sunscreens because
they can harm the coral reefs.

Mineral sunblocks are a preferred choice,
and they are far more refined than earlier
versions from years ago. Think back to
clunky white Nosecoat (although I did love
my hot pink Zinka in the ’80s). Zinc oxide and
titanium dioxide offer exceptional UVA and
UVB protection, with SPF 30+, and have been
made “much more aesthetically elegant” these
days, with applications that aren’t as visible,
Dr. Kahn says.

Brands Dr. Kahn loves include: Blue
Lizard, Babyganics, EltaMD UV Clear,
Vanicream Sunscreen (for ultra sensitive
skin), Neutrogena Pure & Free, Aveeno
Ultra-Calming and CeraVe. “Anything
that says it’s made for babies or women
is usually smaller and more expensive,”
Dr. Kahn says. “Just going with something for
‘sensitive skin’ should be fine.”
Seek a broad-spectrum product that offers
UVA and UVB protection with an SPF of 30
or more. Apply the protection every morning
before you leave the house, and again if going
out before 4 p.m. You should reapply every
hour if staying outside, especially if you’ll be
in or around water. Dr. Kahn cautions, “The
ones that say one application lasts for hours/
all day? They lie.”
The first point Dr. Kahn wanted to
reinforce is the critical importance of sun
protection. There are various ways to stay
safe. One popular ad campaign slogan,
“Slip! Slop! Slap! Seek! & Slide!” promotes
slipping into sun protective clothing;
slopping on SPF 30 or higher sunscreen;
slapping on a broad-brimmed hat; seeking
shade; and sliding on sunglasses to have
fun without getting “fried.”
It’s a great message, because it emphasizes
how to make sun protection part of your
daily routine.

Feeling the burn?
The hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. are consid- Did you know that sunburn can take six
TRAVNIKOVSTUDIO / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS
Quick Tips:
better person when I can feel the sun?
On a sunny day, anything seems possible, and
a sunny day just makes me happy—bonus
points if there’s water involved. However,
summertime fun often means more skin
exposed and vulnerable. What do we need
to do to keep our children’s skin safe and
healthy, and ensure that we put our own best
skin forward?
Dr. Teri A. Kahn is a pediatric dermatologist
at Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital and the
University of Maryland Children’s Hospital,
and clinical associate professor of both
dermatology and pediatrics at the University
of Maryland School of Medicine. Dr. Kahn
spoke with me about some key concerns for
summer skin health and safety.

Whenever possible, I asked Dr. Kahn to
recommend specific brands or products. As
a busy mom myself, I sincerely appreciate
when I can get help picking out good items
for my family—particularly when there is
such an overwhelming number of items
to choose from. Here is some of the great
advice she shared with me. She does not
have any professional relationship with these
products.