Skin cancer prevention begins at infancy
Skin damage from sun exposure may begin at the first year of life when the baby’s skin is most vulnerable to burns and other effects of ultraviolet radiation.
In a new review published in the journal Pediatrics, researchers suggested that skin damage due to sun exposure "may begin as early as the first summer of life."
"Accumulating evidence suggests not only that the skin’s barrier protection remains immature throughout at least the first two years of life but also that accumulation of UVR-induced changes in the skin may begin as early as the first summer of life," wrote Amy S. Paller and her colleagues of Northwestern University in Chicago.
The report, therefore, recommended parents to keep their babies younger than 6 months of age completely out of sun.
Children older than 6 months, on the other hand, should avoid midday sun and wear sun-protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses.
"The ultimate goal of sun protection is to protect all parts of the skin exposed to the sun by using a variety of techniques, including sunscreen in infants older than 6 months," the scientists explained.
“Sunscreens for infants must be non-irritating to the skin and eyes and have aesthetic qualities that encourage effective application by caregivers,” the report added.
Scientists say the skin becomes thicker as the child ages and by the age of 33 months, babies have more water in the outer layer of their skin than adults do.
Previous findings have showed that every person gets about 80 percent of his/her lifetime sun exposure by the age of 18.
In addition, melanoma is the second most common form of cancer among young adults aged between 15 and 29 years.
"Despite the more sensitive nature of infant and toddler skin, little is known about its response to UVR (ultraviolet radiation) exposure, whether acute or long-term," added the authors who emphasized on the necessity of conducting more studies on the impact of UV radiation on the youngsters’ skin.
Source: presstv.ir
