PROTECTING

KIDS

FROM

XXXTHE

SUN

FTC FACTSfor Consumers

HEALTH

1-877-FTC-HELP

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION FOR THE CONSUMER

www.ftc.gov

ts never too early to save your skin  or your childrens  from the

sun. The sun produces invisible rays  ultraviolet A (UVA) and

ultraviolet B (UVB)  that can cause short- and long-term skin damage.

The immediate effects of harmful sun rays  sunburn, photosensitive reactions

(rashes), and cell and tissue damage  are bad enough. But medical experts

believe that too much exposure to the sun in childhood or adolescence is a major

cause of skin cancer and premature skin aging later in life. Health experts also

believe that UVA may weaken the immune system.

You can take steps early and often to minimize the suns harmful effects. Using

sunscreens and sun-protective clothing can reduce your childrens risk of skin

damage later in life. Its important to understand the labeling information on sun

protection products and shop carefully before heading to the beach, tennis court or

park. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) carefully monitors advertising claims

in this area and offers this information to help you make wise purchasing decisions.
Facts for Consumers

Sunscreens

Sunscreens provide some protection by blocking

the suns rays on the skin. They are labeled with a

sun protection factor (SPF): the higher the SPF,

the greater the protection against harmful sun

rays. But no sunscreen totally blocks the suns

rays. Even people wearing high SPF sunscreens

get some exposure. To minimize the damage:

 Use water-resistant sunscreens that help

protect skin from both UVA and UVB rays

and that have SPF numbers of at least 15.

 Apply sunscreen liberally (at least one large

handful) about 30 minutes before going

outside. No matter what sunscreen product is

used, reapply it after swimming, toweling or

any vigorous activity that causes heavy

perspiration. Toweling off can remove even

water-resistant sunscreens.

 Talk with camp counselors and others with

child care responsibilities about reapplying

sunscreens after children play hard, perspire

or swim.

 Remember to apply sunscreen to childrens

skin even when they are under a beach

umbrella. The suns rays can reflect off

surrounding concrete or sand.

Sun-protective Clothing

Sun-protective clothing is another way to help

protect children from the negative effects of the

sun. Sun-protective fabrics differ from typical

summer fabrics in several ways. Sun-protective

fabrics typically have a tighter weave or knit, and

usually are darker in color. And, garments made

with these fabrics generally have a label listing the

garments Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF)

value, that is, the level of protection the garment

provides from the suns harmful ultraviolet (UV)

rays. The higher the UPF, the greater the UV

protection.

The UPF rating indicates how much of the suns

UV radiation is absorbed by the fabric. For

example, a fabric with a UPF rating of 20 allows

1/20th of the suns UV radiation to pass through

it. This means that this fabric will reduce your

skins UV radiation exposure by 20 times where

its protected by the fabric.

Garments with a rating over UPF 50 may be

labeled UPF 50+; however, these garments may

not offer substantially more protection than those

with a UPF of 50. Also, a garment should not be

labeled sun-protective or UV-protective if its

UPF is less than 15. In addition, sun-protective

clothing may lose its effectiveness if its too tight

or stretched out, damp or wet, and has been

washed and worn repeatedly.

Protecting Kids

To help protect children from the suns damaging

effects:

 Remember the sun is strongest from 10 a.m.

to 3 p.m. Schedule childrens outdoor

activities accordingly.

 Dress children for maximum protection. Hats

with brims and tightly woven, long-sleeved

shirts and pants offer the best defense. Look

for the UPF to ensure sufficient protection.

 Select sunglasses that help screen out both

UVA and UVB rays. UV rays may contribute

to the development of cataracts. Sunglasses

that are close-fitting and have big lenses offer

more protection.

 Keep babies younger than six months out of

the sun. Sunscreens may irritate baby skin,

and an infants developing eyes are especially

vulnerable to sunlight.

 Teenagers who work outside as lifeguards,

gardeners or construction workers may be at

special risk for skin damage, and need
Facts for Consumers

adequate protection before going out in the

sun. Try to discourage teens from going to

tanning parlors. Like the sun, tanning devices

can damage the skin and eyes.

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer

in this country. Medical experts are diagnosing it

more often than ever, especially in young people.

They believe too much sun exposure in the early

years may be responsible.

Two types of skin cancer, basal cell and squamous

cell, usually are treatable if detected early. Basal

cell often develops on the face, ears, lips and

around the mouth of fair-skinned people.

Squamous cell usually appears as a scaly patch or

raised, wart-like growth. Melanoma, another type

of skin cancer, is the most dangerous. It can

occur anywhere on the body. Early detection is

crucial for successful treatment.

Factors associated with increased risk of

developing skin cancer include:

 several blistering sunburns as a child or

teenager;

 a family history of skin cancer;

 light-colored skin, hair and eyes; and

 moles that are irregular in shape or color.

For More Information

To learn more about skin cancer or skin damage,

contact your family doctor, dermatologist, or:

Cancer Information Service (CIS)

1-800-4-CANCER

http://cis.nci.nih.gov

American Cancer Society (ACS)

1-800-ACS-2345

www.cancer.org

American Academy of Dermatology

P.O. Box 4014

Schaumburg, IL 60168-4014

www.aad.org

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent

fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business

practices in the marketplace and to provide

information to help consumers spot, stop and

avoid them. To file a complaint, or to get free

information on any of 150 consumer topics, call

toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357), or

use the complaint form at www.ftc.gov. The FTC

enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft and

other fraud-related complaints into Consumer

Sentinel, a secure, online database available to

hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement

agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
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Facts for Consumers

Federal Trade Commission

Bureau of Consumer Protection

Office of Consumer and Business Education

May 2001