Seven Steps to Safer Sun Protection
Updated June 10, 2015.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
The use of DHA in misting or airbrush tanning booths, however, is not approved by the FDA.
Is sunless tanning safe for kids? Airbrush tanning should likely be avoided, since it is not approved and the FDA has received reports of adverse events from people, including such symptoms as coughing, dizziness and fainting.
Spray tanning lotions are usually thought to be a safe alternative to tanning, although the age that you can start using them isn't very clear.
Other types of self-tanning products, especially tanning accelerators and tanning pills, should be avoided. And of course, parents should avoid letting their teens use artificial tanning beds. The AAP is even working on passing laws to ban minors from having access to tanning salons.
Whatever the reason, your child's skin might have sun damage.
Since it is important to find skin cancer and precancerous skin conditions as early as possible, start doing regular skin exams to look for changes in the size, texture, shape or color of birthmarks and moles.
Yearly visits to your pediatrician for well-child visits is another good opportunity for a skin check-up. Be sure to mention any specific birthmarks or moles that you have been watching.
Your pediatrician can also discuss alternative sources of vitamin D at these visits, so that you don't have to be concerned about getting it from the sun.
Sources:
American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement. Ultraviolet Radiation: A Hazard to Children and Adolescents. Pediatrics 2011 127: 588-597.
Balk, Sophie, M.D. Teenagers and Artificial Tanning. Pediatrics 2008;121;1040-1042
US FDA. Sunless Tanners and Bronzers October 23, 2006. Accessed July 2010.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
Avoid Artificial Tanning
According to the FDA, products that are marketed as sunless tanners (which provide a tanned appearance without exposure to UV rays) work by darkening the skin with ingredients like dihydroxyacetone (DHA). It is approved for use in cosmetics that are externally applied to the skin, except for the areas around the eyes and lips.The use of DHA in misting or airbrush tanning booths, however, is not approved by the FDA.
Is sunless tanning safe for kids? Airbrush tanning should likely be avoided, since it is not approved and the FDA has received reports of adverse events from people, including such symptoms as coughing, dizziness and fainting.
Spray tanning lotions are usually thought to be a safe alternative to tanning, although the age that you can start using them isn't very clear.
Other types of self-tanning products, especially tanning accelerators and tanning pills, should be avoided. And of course, parents should avoid letting their teens use artificial tanning beds. The AAP is even working on passing laws to ban minors from having access to tanning salons.
Check Your Child's Skin
No matter how careful parents are, most kids end up a little more tanned or with a sunburn from time to time. Maybe you are religious about putting on sunscreen, but your child is out playing all day and doesn't get his or her sunscreen reapplied. Or he or she is away at summer camp all week and doesn't use any of the sunscreen that you provided.Whatever the reason, your child's skin might have sun damage.
Since it is important to find skin cancer and precancerous skin conditions as early as possible, start doing regular skin exams to look for changes in the size, texture, shape or color of birthmarks and moles.
Yearly visits to your pediatrician for well-child visits is another good opportunity for a skin check-up. Be sure to mention any specific birthmarks or moles that you have been watching.
Your pediatrician can also discuss alternative sources of vitamin D at these visits, so that you don't have to be concerned about getting it from the sun.
Sources:
American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement. Ultraviolet Radiation: A Hazard to Children and Adolescents. Pediatrics 2011 127: 588-597.
Balk, Sophie, M.D. Teenagers and Artificial Tanning. Pediatrics 2008;121;1040-1042
US FDA. Sunless Tanners and Bronzers October 23, 2006. Accessed July 2010.
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