While summer break may be coming to an end, that doesn’t mean the summer sun goes away! It can be easy to remember sunscreen and sun protection during the summer months, but what about when school starts? Let’s take a look at some of Curcio Dermatology’s top sun protection tips for back-to-school!
As our children head back to school, that doesn’t mean they stay in the classroom all day. From physical education and recess to aftercare and after-school sports, our children are being exposed to the UV rays at their peak hours. Even if your child returns home without a sunburn, the constant exposure to the UV rays can cause skin damage later down the road. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, “…a person’s risk for melanoma doubles if they have had more than five sunburns, but just one blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles a person’s chances of developing melanoma later in life,” (SCF).
This shocking statistic is eye-opening to the levels of unprotected sun exposure we, as parents, allow our children to have. Instead of shielding them from having fun with their classmates in outdoor play, we should aim to implement a consistent sun-protective routine. Since we know a thing or two about skin protection, take a look at Curcio Dermatology’s top tips for protecting your kid’s skin this school year!
Tip #1: Sunscreen
Before heading out to school in the morning, make sunscreen application a part of their morning routine. They should be applying a broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to their skin. You can select a sunscreen that offers sweat resistance, sensitive skin, or is non-greasy depending on what your children may need. As for application, their entire body will need one ounce of sunscreen which includes the face. You can teach your kids that it is approximately the size of a golf ball!
If your children have sensory sensitivities, you can opt to use a makeup brush or sunscreen stick for application. Ultimately, you will want your children to learn to apply the sunscreen themselves so that it is a part of their responsibility. If your child has a field trip or extra outdoor activities planned for school, you will want to pack them some sunscreen so that they can reapply after 2 hours. Check out some of our top recommended sunscreen brands for children.
- For Sensitive Skin: Alba Botanica Kids Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum Fragrance-Free OR Aveeno Kids Continuous Protection Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
- For Sweat and Water Resistance: Blue Lizard Kids Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
- For a Face Stick: Sun Bum Baby Bum Sunscreen Face Stick SPF 50
- For a Quick Reapplication: BOB Kids Brush-On Mineral Powder Sunscreen SPF 30
- For Those On-The-Go: Alba Botanica Kids Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Tropical Fruit Clear Spray
- For Younger Faces: Babyganics Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
Tip #2: Clothing
If your child doesn’t like to apply sunscreen everywhere, then the next best option for them is to wear protective clothing. Granted, this can be difficult to cover up when it is hot, but there are some great options that can keep your kid cool and shaded. One of the top dermatologist-recommended sun-protective clothing items is UV-protective clothing. There are long-sleeve and short-sleeve options that offer a lightweight and breathable coverage to the body.
Unlike regular shirts, UV-protective clothing creates a barrier between the UV rays and the skin. This can be a great option for wearing for after-school sports, physical education, or field trips! If your child attends a school that has a school uniform, you can talk to your principal to see if it is within the dress code to have your child wear a uniform-colored UV shirt underneath. Let’s take a look at some of our favorite UV-protective clothing brands that you can order from Amazon!
- UV SKINZ UPF 50+ Girls’ 3-Piece Swim Set: Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry
- INGEAR Boys’ Swim Shirt UPF Boys Sun Shirts Boys’ Long Sleeve Rash Guard (Red, Medium): Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry
- Coolibar UPF 50+ Kid’s Coco Plum Everyday Graphic Long Sleeve T-Shirt – Sun Protective: Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry
- UV SKINZ UPF50+ Girls Short Sleeve Sun & Swim Shirts-Purple-8: Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry
- Vapor Apparel Toddler UPF 50+ Sun Long Sleeve T-Shirt, 3T, Seagrass: Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry
Tip #3: Accessorize
If you want to add an extra layer of protection for your children at school, you can accessorize with a wide-brimmed hat or sunglasses! While many schools may not allow their students to wear hats and sunglasses in the classroom, they can pack them for when they have activities outdoors. Wide-brimmed hats offer sun protection not only for the face, but the ears, neck, and scalp. This is a great option for children that have short hair or are more prone to sunburn. As for eye protection, sunglasses are a stylish option for your child to make sure they protect their sensitive skin around the eyes as well as their vision.
If your child is very active, you may want to consider getting a hat and sunglasses that have a neck strap attached to make sure they don’t lose it. While your child can stay protected without these extra accessories, it can significantly decrease their chances of having melanoma in the future. To make it more exciting for your child, you can have them shop online with you to pick out something they would enjoy wearing! Check out some of our top UV-protective accessories below from Amazon.
- Connectyle Kids UPF 50+ Mesh Safari Sun Hat UV Sun Protection Hat Summer Daily Bucket Play Hat Navy: Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry
- HGGE Kids Girls Sun Hat UV Protection Wide Brim Beach Cap with Ponytail Hole, Orange, One Size: Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry
- Kids Sun Hat for Girls & Boys with UV Protection- Toddler Beach Hat for Fishing Safari Play Hat (1-6 Years): Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry
- Babiators Original Navigator Black Ops Kid’s Sunglasses, UV Protection, Ages 0-2 : Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry
- Vintage – W125mmS (Sb + Black 2 Pack) : Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry
- VATTER TR90 Unbreakable Polarized Sports Sunglasses For Kids Boys Girls Youth 816blueredlenses : Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry
Additional Resources:
- Skin Cancer Facts & Statistics – The Skin Cancer Foundation
- Back-to-School Sun Protection Tips from The Skin Cancer Foundation – The Skin Cancer Foundation
Back To School Start Dates Around Nashville
Davidson County Public Schools
Grades 1-12
Date: August 8, 2022
Details: Full day for grades 1 to 12 | Half day for Pre-K and Kindergarten students (same August 9th)
Pre-K and Kindergarten
Date: August 10, 2022
Details: All grade levels have a full day of school today.
Calendar: District Calendar – Metro Nashville Public Schools (mnps.org)
Williamson County Public Schools
Grades 1-12
Date: August 5, 2022
Details: Half-Day | Start of School
Pre-K and Kindergarten
Date: August 15, 2022
Details: First Full Day for Pre-Kindergarten, Early Childhood, and Kindergarten Students
Calendar: 2022-2023 WCS School Calendar
Wilson County
All Students
Date: August 1, 2022
Details: First day of school for all students.
Calendar: Wilson County School District / Calendar (wcschools.com)
Sumner County
All Students
Date: August 1, 2022
Details: First day of school for all students.
Calendar: Calendar_2022-2023.pdf (sumnerschools.org)
Robertson County
All Students
Date: August 8, 2022
Details: Half Day | Start of School
Calendar: DisplayFile.aspx (rcstn.net)
Start Dates for Private Schools in the Nashville Metro Area
Davidson Academy
Grades 1-12
Date: August 10, 2022
Details: Start of School
PreK-3, K4, K5 (Boys)
Dates: August 15, 2022
Details: Start of School | Boys only
PreK-3, K4, K5 (Girls)
Dates: August 16, 2022
Details: Start of School | Girls only
Calendar: download_6741936.pdf (myschoolapp.com)
Grace Christian Academy
All Students
Date: August 10, 2022
Details: Start of School
Calendar: Events | Grace Christian Academy (gcalions.com)
Franklin Christian Academy
All Students
Date: August 22, 2022
Details: Start of School
Calendar: Calendar | fcasite (franklinchristianacademy.org)
Saint John Vianney Catholic School
All Students
Date: August 8, 2022
Details: Start of School
Calendar: 2022-23 SJV Calendar – Sheet1.pdf – Google Drive
Curcio Dermatology | Serving Patients in Nashville and Beyond
While we get many patients in our office for a variety of skin conditions, our team at Curcio Dermatology gets an overwhelming number of patients for sun-damage-related conditions. Whether you are looking for a medical procedure or a cosmetic skin treatment, Curcio Dermatology can provide you with what you need. Our goal is to fulfill your medical and cosmetic dermatology needs so you can feel like your most healthy and beautiful self. Our skilled team can set you up with an appointment to assess your skin concerns. In addition to cosmetic dermatology, we also provide surgeries for skin cancer, benign lesions as well as Mohs Micrographic Surgery. Contact us with questions or to set up an appointment via our online form or by calling (615) 679-9011.
