Regular use of a highly protective sunscreen for the first 18 years of your life may reduce the risk of certain types of skin cancer by as much as 70%.

Whenever possible avoid going out in the sun between 11:00am and 15:00pm, especially during the summer months. This is when the sun is directly overhead and UV rays have a direct path down to the earth.

Children & the Sun

Children have thinner skin than adults due to less melanin to protect their skin and the stratum corneum, the skin's outermost protective barrier, is not completely developed until the age of four.

SOME DO'S & DON'TS ON PROTECTING YOUR CHILD FROM SUN DAMAGE:

• Do keep children out of the sun during the middle of the day
• Do protect children with a high SPF broad spectrum sunscreen
• Do cover all over the body, especially sun-sensitive areas such as face, ears, neck, upper chest and arms
• If children are going to be near water, apply a water resistant sun block and reapply frequently.
• Don't ever expose babies under six months of age to direct sunlight. Protect them with a hat, clothing and an unfragranced, uncoloured sun block
• Don't stop using sunscreens after a tan appears
• Tanned skin is not sufficient protection against the sun's ultraviolet ray