I couldn't believe my eyes!

Cute_CNA, CNA · Aug 1, 2005

Yikes. That is really unfortunate.

I never sunbathe, as any tanning damages your skin. What on earth are those people thinking? It's not like their babies have a choice to go out into the sun or not.

NicInNC, CNA · Aug 1, 2005

I sat in church yesterday behind a 30-something couple. Both were very attractive and athletic-looking with light suntans. On Dad's lap sat a beautiful, chubby-cheeked, tow-headed 2 year old with a tan that would rival George Hamilton's. On Mom's lap sat a 4-5 month old baby girl with just a few wisps of white-blonde hair, and a tan even darker than her big sister's. What really caught my attention was that her scalp was deeply tanned under her thin, fine hair, and both her scalp and face were extremely dry and leathery looking.
What in the world can these people be thinking? (And doing?) The parents appeared to be taking steps to protect their own skin from the sun, yet these 2 tots looked like burnt toast. Do people not realize that children need sunscreen and hats just like adults? Even if they were leery of applying sunscreen to their young children's skin, shouldn't it ocur to them to dress the kids in protective clothing, or just keep them out of the sun altogether?
It made me want to cry.

Myself and my 7 year old are very fair skinned. We burn easily. My hubby isn't dark, but he tans VERY easily. My 5 year old was blessed with his skin. In the winter, she's not dark, but in the summer, watch out! Most people would probably think she had indian or mexican in her because of how tan she is. I coat her in sunblock and while she never burns, that child tans in an instant! She doesn't spend much time outside either because being as I've had cancerous moles removed, I'm a bit paranoid. It doesn't take much to tan her even with SPF 50.

Maybe those kids were just lucky. I sure wish I had my 5 year olds skin!

z's playa · Aug 1, 2005

Well I hope someone says something to these parents (anonymously perhaps). The kids will thank their parents I'm sure, when they look 50 yo at only 30 yo.

Or worse.

Z

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Aug 1, 2005

I constantly see that at the beach....parents under a huge umbrella protected up to their head with sunblock, yet the children out in the sun tanning like there is no tomorrow :rolleyes:

Sad, if you ask me. They must need to be educated more throughly.

SmilingBluEyes · Aug 1, 2005

in our family, we never go outside w/o sunblock and hats. And my dh and son tan VERY readily, even despite 45spf block. I am only trying to cut down risks of skin cancer, really. But looks are in there too. I read once that some 75-80% of aging signs we see on skin can be directly attributed to sun exposure. Something for sunbunnies who "like that healthy color" to really chew on------imagine how it hits one's ego to look 75 at 40. (and they do some of em).

live4today, RN · Aug 1, 2005

Sunblock keeps the harmful rays of the sun from penetrating the skin. However, sunblock does NOT keep one from tanning. If it's hot enough in a building, you'll tan or turn red...depending on the melanin in your skin.

I would have said something to the parents about the children had I seen that, but that's just the type of "mom" I am.

I'm always telling my daughter's to load the kids up with sunblock before they are going to be exposed to the sun, then apply an Aloe Lotion or after sun exposure cream/lotion once they come out of the sun. Whether they listen to Mom or not...well.......parents of adult kids know where I'm coming from with that statement. :lol2:

I used to lay out in the sun a LOT between my 20s and 30s because I don't like looking so pale, especially in the summertime. Since reading about the many cases of skin cancer over the past ten years, I've not laid out like I used to...therefore, I'm not as brown as I want to be anymore. :cool:

I think I was about 30 when we were vacationing in Florida on the beach. I fell asleep while tanning in the lounge chair. When I woke up, my skin was very hot, my legs later swelled, my upper limbs were also tender to touch. As the day progressed, I was in so much pain I couldn't stand wearing clothing. I put tons of Aloe Lotion on, bathed in tepid water with baking soda in it, and ended up going to the doctor after returning home. Never since that time have I fallen asleep while sunbathing. My husband (at the time) was told to wake me up if I slept more than 30 minutes in the sun. Lo and behold...I wake up to find him GONE...too long in the sun was his complaint, but he LEFT me to die in the sun I guess. :madface: Dork! :devil: