Outsmart the Summer Sun at Any Age( HOUSTON April 11 -- The warmer m...),Health

HOUSTON, April 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The warmer months entice people of all ages to come forth from their winter havens - and most need to be reminded about the importance of sun protection. From young children to teens to mature adults, there are dozens of simple ways to change skin cancer prevention from a chore into a healthy habit.

Carol Drucker, M.D., associate professor in the Department of Dermatology at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and board-certified dermatologist, knows sun protection is a lifelong necessity for everyone; the earlier individuals start, the better. From her experience at M. D. Anderson, the nation's top-ranked cancer center, Drucker has considerable expertise on reducing skin cancer risk, and has helpful summer skin care tips for every age.

Parents of Babies and Young Children

* Sunscreen should not be applied to babies younger than six months. Instead, cover babies and limit direct exposure to the sun to the extent possible.

* Make applying a waterproof sunscreen part of a toddler's routine before getting dressed every day. "It's important to find a sunscreen that kids can tolerate - not too heavy or greasy, so it feels good on the skin," says Drucker. "Parents may be surprised by how quickly their child becomes accustomed to this daily ritual."

* Try not to schedule outdoor activity between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and seek playgrounds where shade - from trees or awnings - is plentiful. If your child has to be outdoors during these hours, be sure they're protected from the sun with a hat, sunglasses, etc.

* Add SPF to the weekly wash. According to Drucker, relatively inexpensive products are available to put in the wash to add SPF protection to normal clothing for up to 20 washes. "This works great for kids of all ages, including stubborn teenagers - they won't even know it's there."

Teens

* "Teens do especially well with pr
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