Momstalk: Sunscreen Safety - What Is Best For Our Kids?

I have five children ranging in ages 22 to 13.

Two of them are fairskinned, freckle-prone red heads.  Sunscreen is used in bulk at our home.  I am not an expert, so I researched online and found smart medical recommendations from Dr. Vincent Iannelli regarding sunscreen.

Take the quiz and see if you are ready to be protected from the sun's harmful rays:

1) What does SPF stand for?

A) Sun Proof Factor B) Sun Protection Factor, C) Sun Provide Facts D) Sun Proof Fun.

2) Who needs sunscreen?

A) Everyone B) Only fair-skinned C) Dark skinned D) Only those without a tan

3) What is the amount of sunscreen you should use for a child?

A) Dime size  B) Half a cup  C) Teaspoon for face, neck and ears D) As much as needed.

4)Waterproof sunscreen means?

A) It won't come off in the water B) It protects sun damage in the water

C) All day protection   D) Water resistant--need to reapply

5) When do you apply sunscreen?

A) First thing in the morning  B)  15 to 20 minutes before you go outdoors

C) After the sun starts to get hot D) After 10 a.m. before 2 p.m. when the sun gets hot

6)Do you need sunscreen on a cloudy day?

A) No, clouds block UV rays   B) No, only when the sun is out

C) Yes, UV rays come through clouds  D) Yes, but not in the shade.

7)What is the difference between SPF 15, 30 55?

A) The higher the number, the higher protection  B) 15 percent more protection per number C) They all protect, but the higher number is only 4 percent more  D) They are the same

8)Is it ever healthy to get a tan?

A) Yes, a base tan is OK  B) Yes, using a tanning bed is okay  C) No, sun can damage skin and cause cancer   D) Yes, only for acne relief

9) Do Sunscreens block vitamin D that the body needs?

A) Yes, only certain times of the day B) Yes, but some unprotected exposure is recommended  C) No, vitamin D comes from milk, not sun  D) No, vitamin D is not that important of a health concern.

10) How long does a bottle of Sunscreen last?

A) One year    B) Six months C) Always good D) Only until it's gone.

Scoring

0-1 You need to lather up

2-4 You should reapply

5-7 Coverage is spotty

8-9 Fairly protected  

10- Best for fun in the sun.

How did you score?

Correct Answers.

1-B Sun Protection Factor

2-A Everyone

3-C Face, neck and ears, approximately 1 ounce for the entire body

4-D Reapply every few hours

5-B Let it soak in the skin for best protection

6-C Need sunscreen in the snow, clouds, sun or wind

7-C They all protect, but increase percentage marginally with number.

8- C Sun is always a danger

9-B  Sunscreen does block the rays that provide Vit. D., so some short amounts of sun are recommended

10-A Sunscreen effectiveness expires after a year, if your bottle last that long. So stock up for the summer usage, but purchase new each year.

Here's to a safe and sunny summer. By thinking about sunscreen in advance, we all can avoid troubles with sunburns, or even skin damage. Oh no, I just looked outside and it's raining again. Maybe the drug stores will run a coupon on sunscreen this week even though the sun left again.

There is still hope, see you all at the beach.