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Why you need to protect your children from the sun by choosing UV Protection clothes

Skin Cancer is America's most prevalent form of cancer and the second most common form in the UK. It has become a major public health issue on most continents but here in the UK, looking after children in the sun needs to be at the forefront of parents’ minds when children are playing outdoors.

Children get an average of three times more sun exposure than adults do. Since unprotected sun exposure early in life can be life threatening later, it is important to form good sun habits at a young age. A significant reduction in the risk of skin cancer will be helped immeasurably if sun safe behaviours are adopted by children and maintained through adult life.

More than 1 million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year in the US. Every hour someone dies from melanoma.

And worryingly Melanoma is showing up in children, which can be taken as an indication that children are not necessarily being given the protection they need when they play in the sun.

What is important to remember is that the sun does have a positive effect on all of us and is great for easing the discomfort of some skin conditions. So it is not the case that people are being asked by experts to stay out of the sun – experts are just asking us all to be more sun-smart when we have the opportunity to enjoy it.

More about why sun protection is so important for babies, toddlers and children

It is important to understand why sun protection is so important for children. This update should help you make an informed decision on what is best for your child and help you chat to other parents about why you have chosen sun protective clothing for your children.

What is Ultraviolet radiation?

Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) is the part of sunlight that causes damage to the skin. To help you understand a little more about ultraviolet radiation we’ve pulled together a bit more information about why we have to take sun protection seriously for our children.

There are three types of Ultraviolet Rays UVA, UVB and UVC. Luckily, the ozone and oxygen in the atmosphere absorbs all the UVC and most of the UVB rays before they reach the earth's surface.

However, depletion of the Earth's ozone layer continues to increase our exposure to Ultraviolet rays. When UVA and UVB rays do reach the earth’s surface, they can cause us some issues. If we don’t properly protect ourselves, we can end up with sunburn, leathery looking skin, ageing before our time and unfortunately if exposed a lot – potentially skin cancer.

Where do you find ultraviolet rays?

Ultraviolet rays can be found in the park even if you sit under a tree. Experts believe that grass reflects three per cent of the ultraviolet rays. If you’re on the beach, sand reflects 20 percent of ultraviolet rays so even sitting under an umbrella is not necessarily helping.

If you’re child is swimming in the sea, experts believe that three quarters of the ultraviolet rays can reach down as far as 10 metres – even on a cloudy day water reflects a third of the ultraviolet rays.

So you can see why it is important to take sun protection seriously and that means applying the right protective suncream and wearing sun protective clothes.

If that hasn’t convinced you to take sun protection for children seriously then think about this:

• 90 per cent of all skin cancer can be attributed to the sun

• Less than one third of US children are adequately protected against the sun

• Most people receive 50-80 per cent of their lifetime exposure by the age of 18.

• Most skin cancer appears in adulthood, yet most of the damage occurs in childhood.

• Just one bad blistering sunburn during childhood can double the risk of skin cancer later in life.

• UV rays bounce off sand, snow, concrete and water - and the reflecting rays can cause skin damage.

• A white cotton T-shirt blocks out only about five per cent of the rays, and even less when wet.

Learn more about UV and Sun Protective clothes on our Sun Holiday Clothes and Summer Clothes pages.

Specialist brands of Sun Protection Clothes and Swimwear for Babies and Young Children include, Platypus, Lion in the Sun and Koolsun.

Please use sun protection creams with at least SPF 40 + like Nivea Sun for children, Soltan from Boots and Simple Sun for babies – all can be bought online at Boots. Buy them at the same time you buy your sun protection suit for your child. More about Children's Sun Cream

To find out more about where you can buy baby, toddler and children’s clothes online then visit our Where To Buy Baby and Toddler Clothes section to find out which shops stock different brands and all you need to know about delivery timescales, postage and packaging, and returns policy.

If you want to know more about the different toddler and baby clothes brands that are available then have a look at our comprehensive Toddler and Baby Clothes Brand section.