Physicians warn parents not to apply sunscreen to babies younger than six months on excessively hot summer days. One of those experts, Professor İlknur Bostancı, a pediatric allergy specialist at the Sami Ulus Gynecology and Pediatric Diseases Research and Education Hospital, told an Anadolu Agency (AA) reporter that skin is especially exposed to the harmful effects of the sun in July and August. Bostancı added that skin not only protects our organs but also synthesizes vitamin D. According to Bostancı, "Sunscreen can have certain side effects that can cause an allergy. These side effects have not yet been properly studied on babies. This is why I certainly do not recommend them." Bostancı said that sun protection creams could be used on babies who are 1 year old or older.
Sunscreens should have a certain protection factor against the sun's ultraviolet A (long-wave) and ultraviolet B (short-wave) rays. She said sunscreens with sun protection factor (SPF) 30 are applicable for children. She also said there is a significant price difference in creams with SPF 30 and SPF 50; however, the protection rate is not directly related to the price. Bostancı underscored that sunscreen with at least SPF 30 is enough to protect against the harmful rays of the sun. Depending on their necessity, sun protection creams should be applied to children's skin after they get out of the sea at least three or four times a day. Besides, children should not stay in the sun between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Bostancı added that this is the main protection method for children with sensitive skin. Children grow rapidly, meaning their skin is a highly sensitive organ. Children can enjoy the sun and sea except during the aforementioned dangerous hours. Bostancı also said that other precautions like wide hats and umbrellas are also important for protecting children.
