Even though a suntan may look nice and make one feel good, there is no medical evidence to suggest that a suntan improves health. Recent medical research shows it is important to protect children and teenagers from overexposure to the sun. Skin damage is cumulative and starts with that first sun exposure. Young people get about 80 percent of their total lifetime sun exposure in the first 18 years of life. Sun protection and prevention are important to preventing skin damage later in life.
Some studies suggest there is a link between early exposure to the sun and skin cancer as an adult.
The two types of ultraviolet sunlight that can damage the skin are Ultraviolet A and Ultraviolet B rays. UVA rays are the slow-tanning rays that penetrate deep into the skin and age the skin prematurely. UVB rays cause burning of the skin and are considered the major cause of skin cancer. Many young children spend their early years at a day-care center. They are dependent upon the primary care giver to take the appropriate precautions in providing sun protection.