Quote Originally Posted by bright sparks View Post
There have for sure been studies suggesting that 30 minutes of exposure to sun without sunscreen per day, obviously not at the suns peak times though, is of great benefit to people. That being said, everyone is different and we are talking about an age group with hyper sensitive skin. I apply sunscreen at all times when we go out and the uv is anything but low to my little ones but I do take a slightly different approach to my own children but they are older and more responsible and that's my personal choice for my own children. These young kids are not mine and it is not up to me to push my beliefs or practices on other families. Skin is damaged by the sun even prior to the burn becoming visible. Society tends to view a tan as a "good" thing. I myself like to get a sun tan as do many people but the reality is that a sun tan is sun damaged skin. I lather every child up with sunscreen and do not desire to have them tan while in my care as it is not good for their skin period. Priming the skin for sun exposure to prevent tanning is not a good thing in my opinion when it comes to the skin of babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Exposure to the uv rays is harmful a long time prior to any change in skins colouring. Such young skin should be protected at all costs. Each to their own but tanning isn't good for anyone, but at least as adults we make that choice for ourselves, I myself feel obliged to put sunscreen on every child in my care as it is in their best interest. It is a policy of mine that every child in my care is required to wear sunscreen. If a family does not agree with this, I will not take them on.

I started using mineral-based sunblock on myself and my daughters last summer, as opposed to chemical sunscreens. It was a bit of an adjustment, as it leave a white residue on your skin, but those chemical sunscreens are bad news for my daughter's eczema.

I also require all the kids to wear sunblock/sunscreen. I am also in agreement that no amount of tanning is good. I don't even worry about getting a tan anymore, I have accepted that my super white legs is how I was meant to be and I have accepted that. I am also trying to keep those wrinkles at bay!!! :-)

On another note, I saw an advertisement for 110 SPF sunblock on TV the other day! That is crazy!! You definitely aren't absorbing any vitamin D if you wear that stuff!