Children who love to be outdoors need special protection from the sun. Sunscreens come in sprays and fun colors to attract kids' interest, but keep it out of their eyes. Because sunscreen can sting if it wanders into the eyes, some formulas are now designed to stay where they are put. Studies indicate that the use of sunscreen in childhood could significantly reduce a person's lifetime risk of skin cancer. Sunscreen should not be used on children younger than six months.
Many people think that they can stay out in the sun longer because they are wearing sunscreen.
However, limiting excessive exposure is the surest way to avoid the sun's damaging effects. Persons concerned about a mole that is growing or changing color, a sore that is not healing, or any suspicious-looking patch of skin should visit their doctor. Early detection of skin cancer dramatically improves the chances for successful treatment.