My son has SUCH fair skin.... I have tried everything, I think.... I put sunscreen on him 4x's today and he got fried (we were outside, in the pool for 2 hrs) I put it on 15 minutes before we went outside, wait outside the pool for 10 minutes, etc.. Nothing seems to work. I've tried the spray, the roll on, prescription sunscreen, etc.... Any suggestions???????
thanks moms!
He wears a swim shirt everytime we're in the pool. I've tried Blue Lizard and it didn't work well, unfortunately.. The sticks don't work well either. I'm at a loss for what to try next.
Neutragena works well for us.
Another thing that I have my kids do is that we don't go out to the beach or pool until 3:00p or later. That way the sun is past it's 'high' point and they don't have so many problems.
My co-worker and family have really fair skin, they go out in the moring until 10a and then go inside until 4p. Then they go back out.
How about putting a shirt on him? I had to do that when the kids were younger. They'd fry too. They are better now.
Skin cancer is still a threat even with sunscreen so do just try to cover him up more.
How about those shirts that they sell that have UV protection or something like that.
I'd get him a rash guard with SPF 50 protection, trunks, too, and make sure you're using SPF 50 sunblock on him every two hours as it instructs on the package, more often when he's in the pool as it washes off. Works for my very fair babies here in SoCal.
We just ordered Blue Lizard after the reviews I saw for it online. Haven't used it yet, but it has zinc oxide (which is a barrier, not chemical protection), so I am expecting it to work well.
I also have my kids apply one of those face sticks to their noses, ears, chin, cheeks, forehead, etc... and reapply that often. It goes on a little bit like chapstick, which means that you have a lot of control putting it on. But if your kids use goggles or masks in the pool, you'll need to reapply frequently, b/c the friction of putting on/taking off the mask/goggles will rub it off.
Also, if your child is really that fair, (mine are blonde hair, blue eyed, so I know a little about being "fair") then you should not rely soley on sunscreen in a bottle, but get him into a rashguard Tshirt. My daughter loves wearing those and it really helps.
The areas that get the most 90 degree sun, is where you need to concentrate. If they swim and bob in the water alot-- then the scalp, tops of the shoulders, and face will get a lot of both direct sun AND reflected rays from the water. If they float on tubes or something, then the tops of their thighs and their backs need to be considered also.
We always apply lotion/creme about 30 minutes before going out, and then once they are in the sun/water... reapply with a spray (easier to do) frequently. But that initial application is with a creme. I have found that BullFrog works really well to block the sun... but it is laden with chemicals and not on any of the recommended lists for that reason.
For myself, when I run (shoulders take a direct hit), I apply Face Potion to my shoulders and arms (it is a barrier block, zinc oxide). It works well, but does rub off with any sort of friction... so you have to look at what your kid is actually doing. If they are in/out of the pool and wrapping up in a towel each time, then they are rubbing off the sunscreen with the towel and it MUST be reapplied EVERY TIME.
Good luck.
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After your SWH, I have to ask... have you asked his doctor? Could he have a sun allergy? I am not being facetious... but barring something unusual going on, I can't figure out how a child in a swimshirt and multiple applications of sunblock (4 x in 2hours? which means every 30 minutes right... and this is WITH a rash guard Tshirt?)... is still "fried". There must be something more to it.
Are you using waterproof sunblock? How old is he? And what time of day are you going out? 11:30 - 1:30 (the absolute most dangerous times of day)? Nobody gets a sunburn through a rashguard in 2 hours.... That's bizarre.
Does he take any medications? Some medications make people more sensitive to sunlight also. Or could he be having a photo-sensitive reaction to the sunblock you are using?
Is he on any prescriptions that might make him more sensitive to the sun? Maybe check with his pediatrician for their recommendations.
No-Ad. Usually sold in Walmart-not in my state however so I order it by the case from Amazon! It is really reasonably priced too! You might just want to switch to keeping him in those long sleeve swimming outfits with a hat at all times. I burn so easily now that I just wear long sleeves and hats all the time on top of sunscreen.
See if he has a sun allergy.
It might be he has to use indoor pools so he doesn't get expose to the sun like he does at outdoor pools.
Or find pools with hours where he can swim at late afternoon or night.
I'm super pale, so I know this problem. My favorite sunblock is Walgreens brand SPF 90 lotion. I have never burned when I use it properly.
Another thing - is your sunscreen new? It is recommended that you don't use sunscreen left from last summer because it might be less effective. Check the expiration date when you buy a 'new' bottle in the beginning of summer too, as there might be older stock on the shelves.
I burn so easily I hope I don't get one answering this question. :) I have been using Coppertone Sport Ultra Sweatproof for 7 years without burning. I do reapply but I live on the B. in South Florida and this is the only kind I've found that works. It's not all natural but I make an exception because sunburns are much more dangerous than strong sunblock.
ETA: I NEVER use the spray. It doesn't apply evenly and the one time I tried it, I fried.
Astaxanthin (a supplement) taken orally can prevent sunburn. And actually, wearing sunglasses can increase the likelihood of sunburn. Look up natural ways to prevent sunburn. There are more that I'm not thinking of right now.
Blue Lizard. Pediatrician loves it, hypo-allergenic. On the 2013 list of best sunscreens.
He needs a long sleeve rashguard and a big hat.
Have you done religious reapplication?
We used to use California Baby.. Also, have em wear one of those swim shirts.. that will at least shield his upper torso.
In my case, I personally use Skinsceuticals for my face and it seems to work well. I have sensitive skin and never like to have my face burned.
also drmercola.com >> sunscreen spf 50 is good.. he tells you what to look for in sunscreens..
good luck
Ditto the sun shirt. What brand do you use? The only one I find that works on my fair skin/vitiligo is copper tone 30 or more. The 50 works great for all day, with reap every 2 hours. For my DD, I use the copper tone on her and then spray her with target brand over that. For the face, the kids face stick (pink packaging). Hope that works for you.
What SPF are you using? I saw a report online I think the site is called " The Saving Experiment" . The report said an SPF over 30 really doesn't help, but I use 50 SPF because I have Vertiglio (sp) parts of my skin have no pigment at all and parts do. The white skin burns easily and the rest will tan. So if I am going to be putside all day and in the direct sun most of the day I wear a 50 SPF.
One think I did learn though is sunscreen blocks your absorbation of Vitamin D. So for short term sun exposure I don't wear any sunscreen.
Look for a product that is recommended for use in the pool. If he spent the day in the pool and the lotion was not made for use in a pool you needed to apply it more often. The water washes the lotion off in about 30 minutes or less.
I also recommend the rash guard suits, bottom and top.
We're in the same boat... 10 minutes outside and we are all pink!
We use the Coppertone "Babies" (on all of us) SPF 50. We apply it 30 minutes before going outside and every hour we are out. I use the "stick" version under our eyes and on the nose. We also wear hats (big giant one for me and the baby, baseball for the boys) and do our best to stay under the umbrella.
Seriously, though... talk with a dermatologist and see if it is an allergy thing. If it is, nothing "topical" will work.
