Sunscreen - Chicago,IL

Updated on August 02, 2011
L.B. asks from Chicago, IL
11 answers

Do you put sunscreen on your kids if you are going to be playing outside only in the shade? I take my toddler on the porch to play in the pool which is completely in the shade and I ask myself you do I put sunscreen on before we come out. What do you guys think?

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So What Happened?

Thanks everyone...think I'm going to skip it if we are on the porch only in the shade.

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D.M.

answers from Denver on

Not if we know we are in the shade or in the sun for less than 30 minutes. Some time in the sun is GOOD IMO.

2 moms found this helpful

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J.K.

answers from Milwaukee on

Definitely not...the less chemicals, the better! :-)

1 mom found this helpful
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J.R.

answers from Appleton on

If we're spending time outside, I apply the sunscreen. I know how uncomfortable I feel when sunburned. I don't want my kids to experience it if I can stop it.

P.W.

answers from Dallas on

Depends on where you live. Reflections can cause sunburn. If you live south of the mason dixon line I probably would. You are probably ok

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J.D.

answers from Phoenix on

You probably don't have to worry about actual sun BURN in the shade if the water isn't reflecting too much, but if the sun is out (even behind the clouds!), rays are bouncing around and penetrating your child's skin. The rays that don't burn are the ones that cause the most damage (like skin cancer and wrinkles and spots). I'm sure you've heard dermatologists recommend you always wear sunscreen. That's why.
So, are you worried about burns or exposure? Or both?
For my kids, I am trying to train them that outside means sunscreen on exposed skin and hats, no matter what. My kids are 3 and 1. So far, I've stuck by this.
Yes, I live in Arizona, but I grew up in Minnesota and would do the same if we moved back.
Google Environmental Working Group to find low chemical effective sunscreens.

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S.T.

answers from Chicago on

Jay D. is absolutely correct! If we're out for a short period of time (10 minutes), I probably wouldn't for the shade. But other than that, a good natural sunscreen is the way we roll.

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C.D.

answers from Chicago on

If it's less than about 20 minutes, sun or shade, I consider it good vitamin D and skip the sunscreen. More than 20 minutes, I do sunscreen sun or shade. When I did a garage sale a few years back COMPLETELY in the shade, I was completely fried/burnt at the end of the day. I figured shade would shade as a roof or clothes shade from the sun since we don't put sunscreen on inside or where our clothes cover anyway, but I was wrong. Sun apparently bounces around and still gets to skin even while in the shade. When we'll be outside for some time, I put sunscreen on right when we get out and figure the vitamin D is soaking in before the sunscreen protects since they say to put sunscreen on before going outside as it takes time to settle in to protect or what not. That's the routine we've been doing.

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V.L.

answers from Chicago on

Definitely put sunscreen on as they burn easily even on overcast days!

K.R.

answers from Sherman on

oddly enough, my daughter had better skin for the sun than i do. I'm kinda pink and burn Way before she ever will! so if i start to feel the sun, i either put lotion on her or we go in.

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E.T.

answers from Albuquerque on

No, because sunscreen protects against the sun... not the shade!

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Nah. Not for a pool in complete shade.
If there's no glare from the water it's OK. For a time.

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