TBT: Fun in the Sun! (Important sunblock facts/tips you may not know) Don't come home burned!

This week's TBT is on sun-safety.  I figured since it's Memorial Day weekend a lot of us will be hanging out at Barbecues and pool parties!  The weather here in the DC area is suppossed to be hot and sunny.  Some people know the basic about sun block like...apply it. lol but there are some other things that are great to know when you plan to hang out in the sun.  So read on and spread the word.

TBT (originally posted June 2014)

We all like a little sun.  Some of us like a lot of it!  Our skin is the largest organ in the body and the most exposed.  So we definitely owe it to ourselves to take care of it  concerning sunlight.  .After doing some research here is what I found on finding the sunblock that works best for you, me and the kiddies!

First, a random fact. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor (I never knew this. lol). Sorry...Let's move on. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation you want to choose sunblock based on how long you are planning on being outside.  If you will only be out for a few minutes then 15 SPF should suffice.  However if you are going to be outside for an extended amount of time you don't want to go any lower than at least 30 SPF.  This will give you 4% more protection from the sun (about 97%).  Another fact check: the higher the percentage of SPF the more protection your skin is getting.

Since babies have more sensitive skin try to find sunblock without the chemicals  PABA and oxybenzone which are linked to skin reactions.  For babies 6 months are older, in addition to the sunblock also avoid exposing them to the sun during the peak hours of 10 am and 2pm. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding sunblock on babies 6 months and under, keep them in the shade and dressed in protective clothing whenever possible.  When trying a new sunblock or if it's  your first time using sunblock  you may want to go home and try a small amount around your wrist just to be sure you don't have an allergic reaction to it.

Sunblocks with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide (non-chemical) start protecting as soon as you put them on.  So if you are a parent like me and doing a thousand things before rushing the kids out the door for soccer or just a family day out this is perfect for us. ( tip: Keep sunblock in the car to ensure you don't leave it behind in the house and avoid buying a new one). If you are a parent that is always prepared and organized to the nines then you have more options.  Your homework (if you aren't using non-chemical sunblock) is to make sure to apply 15 to 20 minutes before sun exposure followed by another application another 15 minutes after exposure.  Sunblock with chemicals tend to take more time to sink into the skin.  Here are a few other tips I found:

TIPS!.....TIPS!.....TIPS!

Don't let the fact that you wear makeup stop you from protecting your face.  Apply your sunblock before moisturizer and makeup. Then wait about 20 minutes to give it a chance to settle in.  Ok now you're all set to put on your makeup!

To my bald-headed friends (insert picture of hubby's bald head)

Let's face it your head is a bulls-eye for sun rays!  Well there is a product called 'Bald Guys Sunscreen' made just for you.  It contains Green tea, Aloe Vera among others natural ingredients and it moisturizes all while protecting that nice round head of yours. Check it out and let me know how it works.  I'm sure it's not the only product for baldies so shop around.  And if all else fails, a regular sunblock will work just as well.

Sunblock should be reapplied immediately after swimming, toweling off, or sweating a lot

Try to stay away from sprays and powders (especially for children) inhaling can cause lung inflammation

The darker more tightly woven clothes you wear, the more protection you get!

Now go out and enjoy some of that Sun for me!