ISLAMABAD, (National Times) – Study finds slathering kids in sunscreen can protect them into adulthood.<\/p>\n
If you needed another reason for your family to use sunscreen this might be it: Regular sunscreen use in childhood can reduce the risk of melanoma by 40 percent in young adulthood.<\/p>\n
A recent studyTrusted Source examined the association between sunscreen use and melanoma risk in people under the age of 40.<\/p>\n
Researchers from the University of Sydney gathered data from 1,700 people who took part in the Australian Melanoma Family Study.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe found that Australians aged 18 to 40 years who were regular users of sunscreen in their childhood reduced their risk of developing melanoma by 40 percent compared to those who rarely used sunscreen. Lifetime use of sunscreen was associated with a 35 percent reduced risk of melanoma,\u201d Dr. Caroline Watts, author of the study and post-doctoral researcher at the University of Sydney, told Healthline.<\/p>\n
Watts and her colleagues found those who use sunscreen regularly achieved the greatest benefit. A regular sunscreen user by Watts\u2019 definition would be a person who applies sunscreen always or almost always when they are in the sun or plan to be in the sun.<\/p>\n
Dangers for kids in the sun<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a reason that kids need sun protection.<\/p>\n
\u201cToddler skin is much thinner then adult skin and more susceptible to burning,\u201d Dr. Adam Friedman, a professor of dermatology at the George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences told Healthline. \u201cIn fact, a sunburn in a baby can be a medical emergency as sunburned skin cannot regulate temperature, or water loss as well, and is at higher risk for infection.\u201d<\/p>\n
Babies younger than six months should always remain in the shade and not be exposed to direct sunlight. Friedman also advises caution when allowing toddlers to run around without clothes in the sun.<\/p>\n
The researchers also found certain demographics were more likely to be regular sunscreen users.<\/p>\n
\u201cRegular users of sunscreen were more likely to be female, of British or northern European ancestry, and to have higher education levels, lighter skin pigmentation, and a stronger history of blistering sunburn,\u201d Watts said. \u201cThis may be related to women being more receptive to messages about sun protection, or that many cosmetic products have sunscreen in them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr. Oma Agbai, an assistant professor of dermatology at the University of California, Davis, says that it\u2019s possible such demographics may be utilizing sunscreen for aesthetic rather than health reasons.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome of my patients in this demographic may be driven by cosmetic motivations. In other words, they may want to use sunscreen in order to prevent UV-induced premature aging and photodamage,\u201d she told Healthline.<\/p>\n
But others may use sunscreen due to previous bad experiences with sunburn.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose with a history of blistering sunburn may seek to avoid the pain and discomfort associated with prior sunburns by wearing sunscreen,\u201d Agbai added.<\/p>\n
The dangers of sunburns<\/p>\n
In the United States, a person dies of melanoma every hour. Over the past decade, the number of new melanoma cases has increased by 53 percent. It\u2019s estimated that 178,560 cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in the United States in 2018. Approximately 9,320 people in the United States will die of melanoma in 2018: 5,990 of those will be men and 330 will be women.<\/p>\n
Despite the benefits of sunscreen being well established, experts say many people still fall victim to myths and misinformation by choosing not to use sunscreen.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a lot of misinformation and I have heard it all. It\u2019s not safe, it\u2019s not organic, I need my vitamin D, it causes cancer, it is polluting our water system,\u201d Friedman told Healthline. \u201cHere\u2019s the reality: UV radiation causes skin cancer. Plain and simple. WHO has designated it as a carcinogen. Sunscreens have years of evidence proving they can prevent skin cancer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some of the myths Friedman says stop people using sunscreen include sunscreen preventing a \u201chealthy glow\u201d and that those with tanned complexions don\u2019t need sunscreen.<\/p>\n
Dr. Emily Newsom, a dermatologist at the University of California Los Angeles, says regardless of skin tone, sunscreen is critical.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t know for sure why, but in our culture, those who don\u2019t burn easily tend to use less sunscreen because they don\u2019t think they need it,\u201d she told Healthline. \u201cSunscreen and sun protection is important for all skin types. Skin cancer is more common in those with light skin, but we still see skin cancer in all skin types.\u201d<\/p>\n
Watts says sun protection should always be used when the UV index is above three. But experts say sunscreen is not enough to provide protection.<\/p>\n
Sunscreen every day<\/p>\n
Agbai pointed out it\u2019s helpful to establish good sun protection habits in childhood.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would recommend wearing protective clothing such as a wide brim hat and long sleeves, seeking shade, and wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 on all exposed areas\u201d Agbai said. \u201cIt is paramount to reapply the sunscreen every two hours while outside, or after sweating, swimming, or toweling off.\u201d<\/p>\n
The experts who spoke with Healthline all recommend getting into a daily routine of applying sunscreen and practicing sun safe habits. Even if, as a child, you weren\u2019t sun-safe, they say it\u2019s not too late to help your skin.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is absolutely never too late to begin good sun protection habits. Our skin cannot repair itself from UV damage later in life as it can earlier in life, so using good sun protection even after years of not doing so can make a big difference,\u201d Agbai said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD, (National Times) – Study finds slathering kids in sunscreen can protect them into adulthood. If you needed another reason for your family to use sunscreen this might be it: Regular sunscreen use in childhood can reduce the risk of melanoma by 40 percent in young adulthood. A recent studyTrusted Source examined the association between […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":46552,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-46548","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-international","entry"],"yoast_head":"\n