Hats on to sun safety The writer’s son in head-to-toe sun protection on one of Colorado’s 300 days of sunny skies. PHOTO BY BREANNA LAMBERT[/caption]

We lucky Coloradans enjoy 300 days of sunny skies, according to Colorado.com, the authority on all things on The Centennial State. But when you’re as close to the sun as we are up here on these peaks, you have to be extra careful. Sun protection is a year-round concern, but as we shed long-sleeve puffies and lined pants, our skin becomes even more susceptible to burns and long- term damage like hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and even skin cancer, warn dermatologists at Colorado Laser Clinic.

And at 8200+ feet, outdoor enthusiasts lose the benefit of atmospheric layers that might otherwise filter out some of the sun’s harmful rays. Boulder Medical Center says, “Living at a higher elevation also exposes us to approximately 25 percent more ultraviolet radiation from the sun when compared to sea level.”

Before you reach for the bottle of sunblock, Colorado Parent magazine, in a post called Summer Sun Safety for Baby, says to consider sunproof clothing. But don’t rely on any old t-shirt to keep your young one’s skin protected. “To increase the shade factor in your baby’s wardrobe, look for a laundry additive called SunGuard. It contains the protective agent Tinosorb, which ramps up UPF value of clothing and lasts through 20 washes.” Be sure to check the Clothing Closet if you’d prefer not to buy new.

Hats are perhaps the most important garment for keeping rays off your child’s most sensitive skin. Colorado Parent says to look for sun hats with a full brim of at least three inches and a tie-on option if your little one is liable to try to take it off. And don’t forget eyes. Wraparound sunglasses are best, as they increase sun protection by five percent.

Of course, even if your child is covered head to toe in sunproof clothing, you’ll want to slather on the sunblock as well. Children’s Hospital Colorado explains that there is a significant difference between sunscreen and sunblock. “Sunblocks contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which physically block the sun’s rays by scattering ultraviolet radiation on contact. Sunscreens absorb UV radiation with chemicals.” Something to keep in mind as you choose a preferred sun protection lotion for your family.

BMC recommends four top sun lotion brands containing zinc and/or titanium, all available at Whole Foods and Pharmaca: Alba Kids/Mineral, Goddess Garden Organics, Badger Balm, and Thinksport. And BMC dermatologists recommend choosing an SPF of 30; nothing higher or lower. Numbers above 30 do not offer a significant increase in UV protection, and it is better to reapply than to rely on stronger protection from a higher SPF.

Speaking of application, slathering a healthy smear of sunblock on a wriggling, screaming child is perhaps a parent’s least-loved summertime activity. Especially when most sunblock brands suggest reapplying every 40 to 80 minutes. In a post titled “How to Get Sunscreen on Your Kid Without a Battle,” helpful tips website Lifehacker offers a few practical ideas to get the recommended ounce (about the size of a shot glass) onto your uncooperative child. Similar to handwashing, use a countdown or sing a favorite song while smearing so your child can anticipate the end of the “torture.” For the younger ones, consider applying sunblock after they’re strapped into a car seat so they can’t dart away from you. Make applying sunblock a regular part of the going out routine, like putting on shoes. Most kids are so eager to get outside that they’ll eventually tolerate a minute or two of lotion rubbing.

The biggest sun protection mistake people make is not reapplying often enough, but in an interview with Health magazine, Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine dermatologists and instructors Noelani González, MD, and Jeannette Graf, MD, share a few more common blunders. Applying lotion too late— slather up 30 minutes before exposure, so the block has time to get absorbed. Applying sunscreen around clothes— garments will shift during activity, so be sure to apply under your kid’s clothes, including swimsuits. You skip lips—look for a thick lip balm with SPF and apply often. You miss key spots—that includes “toes and feet, including the bottoms of your feet; underarms; back of the neck under the hairline; ears, especially the tops and back of your ears; eyelids; and inner upper arms.”

Because of Colorado’s high elevation and many days of sunshine, getting your little ones on a sun-smart routine early is crucial. They may not thank you now, but they certainly will once they’re older.