DISCLAIMER: The following post outlines the writer’s personal journey with melanoma as it relates to sun safety. It is not intended to act as medical advice. As always, please consult your doctor with any questions about your health.
Most of us heading somewhere warm on spring break are coming from somewhere cold. We’ve spent months in overcast, grey weather and it can be easy to forget all the sun safety items we need when we FINALLY get to take a deep breath of warm air and feel the sun on our face. Whether you’re headed to the beach, the mountains, or the rolling hills, it’s important to prioritize sun safety.
As a mom of two (ages eight and two-and-a-half) and a stage III Melanoma survivor, I’ve done a lot of trial and error, research, and problem solving around the importance of sun safety. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, a person’s risk of Melanoma doubles if they’ve had 5 or more sunburns. And it’s half that for children who burn before the age of 18, according to Melanoma Focus.
There are so many things that, as parents, we are responsible for remembering. I hear you. I’m not here to add more to your plate, but to make packing for the sun as easy and convenient as I possibly can (without packing your bag for you, although I would if I could!). So, I’m sharing the sun safety items I make sure to pack whenever we go on a trip.
Sun Safety Must-Haves For the Kids (because they always come first on said list!)
It’s no secret that kids “need” double or triple the amount of things we do. It can be overwhelming to remember all the things. You can’t forget the correct stuffies for bedtime, the toys for entertainment, and the toys for when you get there. Don’t get me started on all the outfits. The list goes on and on.
When it comes to sun safety, it’s needed regardless of your destination. Get your kids involved with making some decisions when packing. For example, pick out different bottles of sunscreen and ask them which one to pack. This is a great opportunity to throw in the importance of sun safety.
It might sound like: Did you know that your skin is the largest organ on your body? Look how much there is! *Insert tickle hands* You have skin here and here and HERE! It’s important to protect it from the sun. We eat fruits and veggies to keep the inside of our body healthy, and we use sunscreen, UPF clothing, hats, etc. to protect the outside of our bodies!
I have also taken sunscreen and drawn fun images on my kids’ skin before rubbing it in. Singing the ABCs while applying can help keep them still for a minute longer, too!
Simple. Fun. Straightforward. Here’s the list for what to pack!
- a hat: think packable, bright colored, wide brim.
- sunglasses: you can get skin cancer anywhere you have skin, including your eyelids.
- sunscreen: at least SPF 30, broad-spectrum, water resistant. I prefer lotion over spray so you don’t accidentally miss a spot. If you are going to use spray, make sure you really rub it in. Powder sunscreen can be great for tricky areas like your scalp, face, or ears.
- UPF bathing suit + UPF daily wear shirt
Sun Safety Must-Haves For the Parents
We have to pay attention to what we do and say because our kids are always watching and listening (except for when we want them to, haha!). If you’re wearing hats and sunglasses, reapplying sunscreen, etc. your kids are more likely to follow suit.
- a hat: if it’s a baseball hat, make sure one is packed that doesn’t have holes in the back half!
- sunglasses: make sure they have a tag or sticker that says they have 100% UV protection or UV absorption up to 400 nanometers.
- sunscreen: same rules above apply to the adults. Mama, put sunscreen on your face before you put your makeup on.
- UPF shirts and/or cover-up: I love using a super lightweight UPF jacket so that it can be unzipped and I can still wear my cutie tank underneath, but I’m protecting my shoulders, neck, and arms. You don’t have to buy clothing that is advertised as “UPF coverage”–a simple trick from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is to pay attention to how tightly weaved the clothing is, then hold it up to the sun. If you can see the sun, that means UV rays are getting through.
- a timer: this one should be easy, as you can just use your phone! After applying sunscreen on the family, set a two-hour timer and repeat. A lot of sunburns happen because sunscreen is applied once in the morning and we falsely assume we are good for the day.
Favorite Sun Safety Must-Have Products
As a self-proclaimed sun safety expert, here’s some specific brands I would recommend. Add to cart now!
- Daily Shade sunscreen (great for kids)
- Goodr sunglasses
- Sol Brush powder sunscreen with a built-in brush
- SwimZip packable hats and UPF swimsuits for adults + kids in fun colors
- Sundercover hat liners (if you have a favorite hat that’s worn in and fits just right but has holes in it or is a material that might not be fully protective, these hat liners work great)
It’s all about making sun safety a part of your daily routine. We brush our teeth every day, right? Take the list above and get all these items packed ahead of time! Especially so you’re not paying triple the price for a bottle of sunscreen when you get there. Your vacation self will thank you. Time to sit back, relax, and enjoy being sun safe!
Skin checks are integral to early detection. Laurie shares about her freckle that was actually melanoma.
–Guest post submission by Leah Koskinen
