The last thing kids want to do in the adrenaline rush of a ski vacation is to stand still and apply sunscreen.
But sun protection is just as essential as protection from frigid temperatures.
It's now possible to purchase excellent natural sunscreen with effective, non-chemical ingredients.
Traditional sunscreens often contain chemical compounds which are hazardous to human health and the environment; natural sunscreens are a more responsible choice for everyone, but especially for children.
Don't let the excitement of skiing and snow play allow you to forget basic sun sense responsibilities in caring for yourself and your kids.
A day in the snow is like a day at the beach as far as sun damage from ultraviolet rays.
Skin is belted by UV radiation both from the sun and the reflective surface of the snow.
Yet, since people tend to forget that the sun can cause immense damage even on cold, cloudy days, ski slope fun can be riskier to your skin's health than beach days.
Do all you can to avoid sun damage, which can result in skin cancer.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, for every 1,000 feet above sea level, UV exposure increases 8-10 percent.
And UV rays can be 45-50 percent more intense than at sea level when skiing at altitudes of 9,000 feet or more.
Sun protection is essential.
The following guidelines provide your family the opportunity for the safest winter skiing experience for their skin: 1.
Use biodegradable, non-chemical sunscreen.
We all want to protect our children from unnecessary chemical exposure.
Many popular sunscreens include ingredients that are known to disrupt biological functions and adversely pollute our environment.
The Environmental Working Group's 2009 Sunscreen Safety Guide lists oxybenzone and benzophenone-3 as hazardous; they are absorbed through the skin and pose risks to the endocrine system.
An in-depth analysis of safety and effectiveness by the Environmental Working Group found that over 500 commercial sunscreens failed to adequately protect the skin and/or contain hazardous chemicals.
2.
Your body should be thoroughly covered with ski apparel, so all that remains is your head and face.
Most people don't put on enough sunscreen.
A child needs half a teaspoon of sunscreen for the face and neck.
3.
The Skin Cancer Foundation reports that most often-missed spots include scalp, lips, ears, around eyes, neck, underside of chin and hands.
Apply extra sunscreen to your nose as it takes the brunt of exposure.
Slather it on in the morning before you leave for the slopes and program reminders into your watch or cell phone for reapplication every two hours until you go indoors.
4.
Reapplication is essential; SPF numbers offer false security.
Despite advertising claims, sunscreen does not remain adequately effective all day.
If you're sweating or if the wind is strong, reapply even more often than every two hours.
5.
Choose a high quality, moisturizing sunscreen to combat dry, cold conditions.
6.
Schedule your skiing before 10 a.
m.
or after 4 p.
m.
to decrease your exposure to UVB rays.
Although UVB rays decrease in the winter months, UVA rays remain constant from dawn to dusk and all year long, so wearing sunscreen is still very important.
Avoiding peak sun hours will diminish your sun damage risk to UVB, so staying indoors mid-day is a benefit.
7.
Role-model good self care to make the process easier for your children.
In addition to dressing in layers to insulate for warmth and taking breaks to drink water to avoid dehydration, apply sunscreen to all exposed areas.
If your kids see that sun protection is important to you- and you discuss the health risks of sun damage with them- they will emulate your behavior and understand why it's important.
8.
Wear sun-protective clothing as an easy way to guard your skin.
If you're not wearing a ski helmet, a sun-protective cap will protect the skin on your scalp.
And UV-protective eye wear is a must.
Not only will your family be more comfortable skiing without the glare and cold assaulting their eyes, it will save their eyes from damage.
Sun exposure increases the likelihood of certain forms of cataracts, according to the World Health Organization, and snow blindness is also a concern.
9.
If possible, wear a sun-protective ski mask to protect your face.
Be sure the mask allows adequate visibility.
Your kids may think it's fun to wear one, too, or they may complain and refuse.
But remind them that they must choose either a ski mask or plenty of sunscreen.
You'll feel much better at the end of the day when you and your kids settle in for a comfortable night without a sunburn or undue skin damage.
Best of all, you'll know you've done your best to protect your family's health.
But sun protection is just as essential as protection from frigid temperatures.
It's now possible to purchase excellent natural sunscreen with effective, non-chemical ingredients.
Traditional sunscreens often contain chemical compounds which are hazardous to human health and the environment; natural sunscreens are a more responsible choice for everyone, but especially for children.
Don't let the excitement of skiing and snow play allow you to forget basic sun sense responsibilities in caring for yourself and your kids.
A day in the snow is like a day at the beach as far as sun damage from ultraviolet rays.
Skin is belted by UV radiation both from the sun and the reflective surface of the snow.
Yet, since people tend to forget that the sun can cause immense damage even on cold, cloudy days, ski slope fun can be riskier to your skin's health than beach days.
Do all you can to avoid sun damage, which can result in skin cancer.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, for every 1,000 feet above sea level, UV exposure increases 8-10 percent.
And UV rays can be 45-50 percent more intense than at sea level when skiing at altitudes of 9,000 feet or more.
Sun protection is essential.
The following guidelines provide your family the opportunity for the safest winter skiing experience for their skin: 1.
Use biodegradable, non-chemical sunscreen.
We all want to protect our children from unnecessary chemical exposure.
Many popular sunscreens include ingredients that are known to disrupt biological functions and adversely pollute our environment.
The Environmental Working Group's 2009 Sunscreen Safety Guide lists oxybenzone and benzophenone-3 as hazardous; they are absorbed through the skin and pose risks to the endocrine system.
An in-depth analysis of safety and effectiveness by the Environmental Working Group found that over 500 commercial sunscreens failed to adequately protect the skin and/or contain hazardous chemicals.
2.
Your body should be thoroughly covered with ski apparel, so all that remains is your head and face.
Most people don't put on enough sunscreen.
A child needs half a teaspoon of sunscreen for the face and neck.
3.
The Skin Cancer Foundation reports that most often-missed spots include scalp, lips, ears, around eyes, neck, underside of chin and hands.
Apply extra sunscreen to your nose as it takes the brunt of exposure.
Slather it on in the morning before you leave for the slopes and program reminders into your watch or cell phone for reapplication every two hours until you go indoors.
4.
Reapplication is essential; SPF numbers offer false security.
Despite advertising claims, sunscreen does not remain adequately effective all day.
If you're sweating or if the wind is strong, reapply even more often than every two hours.
5.
Choose a high quality, moisturizing sunscreen to combat dry, cold conditions.
6.
Schedule your skiing before 10 a.
m.
or after 4 p.
m.
to decrease your exposure to UVB rays.
Although UVB rays decrease in the winter months, UVA rays remain constant from dawn to dusk and all year long, so wearing sunscreen is still very important.
Avoiding peak sun hours will diminish your sun damage risk to UVB, so staying indoors mid-day is a benefit.
7.
Role-model good self care to make the process easier for your children.
In addition to dressing in layers to insulate for warmth and taking breaks to drink water to avoid dehydration, apply sunscreen to all exposed areas.
If your kids see that sun protection is important to you- and you discuss the health risks of sun damage with them- they will emulate your behavior and understand why it's important.
8.
Wear sun-protective clothing as an easy way to guard your skin.
If you're not wearing a ski helmet, a sun-protective cap will protect the skin on your scalp.
And UV-protective eye wear is a must.
Not only will your family be more comfortable skiing without the glare and cold assaulting their eyes, it will save their eyes from damage.
Sun exposure increases the likelihood of certain forms of cataracts, according to the World Health Organization, and snow blindness is also a concern.
9.
If possible, wear a sun-protective ski mask to protect your face.
Be sure the mask allows adequate visibility.
Your kids may think it's fun to wear one, too, or they may complain and refuse.
But remind them that they must choose either a ski mask or plenty of sunscreen.
You'll feel much better at the end of the day when you and your kids settle in for a comfortable night without a sunburn or undue skin damage.
Best of all, you'll know you've done your best to protect your family's health.
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