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Back to school: Healthy Skin 101
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Photo: Missy E. Tellis,, 2008
The time has either come, or the time is fast approaching; the new school year is here, and there’s one important element of preparation that many parents might possibly have overlooked.
Sun Safety.
Even Wal-Mart employees, who may potentially work outside, are required to wear Sunscreen, and are forced to sign a waiver releasing liability on the part of Wal-Mart in the instance of Skin Cancer – it’s time to take the sun seriously, and instill healthy habits in our children, now.
And, it’s easy, we promise; start with these 5 simple steps:
1. Slather it on: Like brushing one’s teeth, moisturizer with a minimum SPF of 15 or higher should be habitual. Face, neck and arms need to be moisturized, and with products like Jergens with SPF, sun protection is just an added benefit. Brush your teeth, wash your face, and moisturize. For fair children, or for children with multiple moles, light eyes and/or light hair, or for those who are outdoors extensively, apply a Sunscreen of 30 or higher, every morning, making certain you’re using a water resistant formula for those who participate in sport or other outdoor extracurricular activities.
2. Washing it in: Sun Guard, a product growing quickly in popularity, washed Sun Protection right into your load of laundry and transform your Child's school clothes into Sun Protective Gear , blocking out 96% of UV rays, without them ever even knowing it.
3. Encourage them to “drink up”: While it’s still warm through these fall months, lets not forget to arm our children with the best protection possible, and the skins number ONE request: Water. A bottle of water in the backpack goes a long way not only in fighting off dehydration, but in prevention of illness.
4. Sanitize: A small travel size bottle of GermX could mean less missed school days. On average, the average school age child missed approximately 9 days of school per year due to illness (a number that could be significantly reduced with simple preventative measures and adequate nutrition).
5. Watch medications closely: More and more medications for acne, infection and “balanced nutrition” call for a warning to stay OUT of the sun. Always check with our Dr. and/or pharmacist regarding safety on any new or recommended medication, either prescribed or OTC.
Have a healthy, happy and safe school year! Start smart; the future is now, and your example is paramount.
*To purchase Sun Guard, or to learn more about the product, please visit them directly at www.sunguardsunprotection.com.
*To learn more about Sun Safety for children, or to get your child involved through media and free educational learning games, visit the Just for Kids arcade through the Barefoot Sisterhood Foundation for Women.
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