| The last thing kids want to do in the adrenaline rush | | | | eyes, neck, underside of chin and hands. Apply extra |
| of a ski vacation is to stand still and apply sunscreen. | | | | sunscreen to your nose as it takes the brunt of |
| But sun protection is just as essential as protection | | | | exposure. Slather it on in the morning before you |
| from frigid temperatures. It's now possible to | | | | leave for the slopes and program reminders into your |
| purchase excellent natural sunscreen with effective, | | | | watch or cell phone for reapplication every two hours |
| non-chemical ingredients. Traditional sunscreens often | | | | until you go indoors. |
| contain chemical compounds which are hazardous to | | | | 4. Reapplication is essential; SPF numbers offer false |
| human health and the environment; natural | | | | security. Despite advertising claims, sunscreen does |
| sunscreens are a more responsible choice for | | | | not remain adequately effective all day. If you're |
| everyone, but especially for children. | | | | sweating or if the wind is strong, reapply even more |
| Don't let the excitement of skiing and snow play | | | | often than every two hours. |
| allow you to forget basic sun sense responsibilities in | | | | 5. Choose a high quality, moisturizing sunscreen to |
| caring for yourself and your kids. A day in the snow | | | | combat dry, cold conditions. |
| is like a day at the beach as far as sun damage from | | | | 6. Schedule your skiing before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. |
| ultraviolet rays. Skin is belted by UV radiation both | | | | to decrease your exposure to UVB rays. Although |
| from the sun and the reflective surface of the snow. | | | | UVB rays decrease in the winter months, UVA rays |
| Yet, since people tend to forget that the sun can | | | | remain constant from dawn to dusk and all year long, |
| cause immense damage even on cold, cloudy days, | | | | so wearing sunscreen is still very important. Avoiding |
| ski slope fun can be riskier to your skin's health than | | | | peak sun hours will diminish your sun damage risk to |
| beach days. | | | | UVB, so staying indoors mid-day is a benefit. |
| Do all you can to avoid sun damage, which can result | | | | 7. Role-model good self care to make the process |
| in skin cancer. According to the Skin Cancer | | | | easier for your children. In addition to dressing in |
| Foundation, for every 1,000 feet above sea level, UV | | | | layers to insulate for warmth and taking breaks to |
| exposure increases 8-10 percent. And UV rays can | | | | drink water to avoid dehydration, apply sunscreen to |
| be 45-50 percent more intense than at sea level | | | | all exposed areas. If your kids see that sun |
| when skiing at altitudes of 9,000 feet or more. Sun | | | | protection is important to you- and you discuss the |
| protection is essential. | | | | health risks of sun damage with them- they will |
| The following guidelines provide your family the | | | | emulate your behavior and understand why it's |
| opportunity for the safest winter skiing experience | | | | important. |
| for their skin: | | | | 8. Wear sun-protective clothing as an easy way to |
| 1. Use biodegradable, non-chemical sunscreen. We all | | | | guard your skin. If you're not wearing a ski helmet, a |
| want to protect our children from unnecessary | | | | sun-protective cap will protect the skin on your scalp. |
| chemical exposure. Many popular sunscreens include | | | | And UV-protective eye wear is a must. Not only will |
| ingredients that are known to disrupt biological | | | | your family be more comfortable skiing without the |
| functions and adversely pollute our environment. | | | | glare and cold assaulting their eyes, it will save their |
| The Environmental Working Group's 2009 Sunscreen | | | | eyes from damage. Sun exposure increases the |
| Safety Guide lists oxybenzone and benzophenone-3 | | | | likelihood of certain forms of cataracts, according to |
| as hazardous; they are absorbed through the skin | | | | the World Health Organization, and snow blindness is |
| and pose risks to the endocrine system. An in-depth | | | | also a concern. |
| analysis of safety and effectiveness by the | | | | 9. If possible, wear a sun-protective ski mask to |
| Environmental Working Group found that over 500 | | | | protect your face. Be sure the mask allows adequate |
| commercial sunscreens failed to adequately protect | | | | visibility. Your kids may think it's fun to wear one, |
| the skin and/or contain hazardous chemicals. | | | | too, or they may complain and refuse. But remind |
| 2. Your body should be thoroughly covered with ski | | | | them that they must choose either a ski mask or |
| apparel, so all that remains is your head and face. | | | | plenty of sunscreen. |
| Most people don't put on enough sunscreen. A child | | | | You'll feel much better at the end of the day when |
| needs half a teaspoon of sunscreen for the face and | | | | you and your kids settle in for a comfortable night |
| neck. | | | | without a sunburn or undue skin damage. Best of all, |
| 3. The Skin Cancer Foundation reports that most | | | | you'll know you've done your best to protect your |
| often-missed spots include scalp, lips, ears, around | | | | family's health. |