How important sunscreen is has long been no secret. But sunburn doesn't just increase the risk of skin cancer or promote premature skin aging in adults. Adequate sun protection is also a top priority for little ones, babies and children. However, there is often great uncertainty about which sun protection factor (SPF) is the right one for children and adults. We are also often asked how long one can stay in the sun and how sunscreen should be applied. That's why in this article we explain what you need to consider to optimally protect yourself and your child.
The sun protection factor on sunscreen products indicates the degree of the intensity of the protective effect against ultraviolet B-rays (UVB rays) and UVA rays . UVB rays are short-wave and responsible for nasty sunburn. UVA rays, on the other hand, are long-wave and essentially responsible for skin aging. This means: It tells you how much longer you can stay in the sun with sun protection than without.*
*There are numerous abbreviations that describe the sun protection factor, but name the same thing: F: factor, LSF: Lichtschutzfaktor (German for SPF), SSF: Sonnenschutzfaktor (German for SPF), SPF: Sun Protecting Factor, IP: Indice Protection.
Which sun protection factor is right for me?
When choosing a sunscreen, the choice of sun protection factor is very important. Your skin type plays a crucial role here. Because your skin's intrinsic protection time, i.e., the duration during which the skin can protect itself from the sun without burning, varies depending on your skin type.
The classification of skin types according to Fitzpatrick (American dermatologist, first described in 1975) is generally valid:
| Skin type 1 | Skin type 2 | Skin type 3 | Skin type 4 | Skin type 5 | Skin type 6 | |
| Skin color |
pale/ very fair |
fair | light brown complexion | brown complexion | dark complexion | very dark complexion |
| Hair color | often reddish | often blonde | dark blonde/ light brown |
brown | black | black |
| Sunburn | immediately | quickly | rarely | rarely | rarely | very rarely |
| Maximum Intrinsic protection |
approx. 15 min | approx. 20 min | approx. 30 min | approx. 40 min. | approx. 60 min | approx. 90 min |
| Recommended SPF | 30-50 | 20-50 | 15-20 | 10-15 | 4-8 | 4-8 |
The following applies here:
Sun Protection Factor (SPF) x Intrinsic Protection Time of Skin Type (in minutes) = Maximum Time in Sun (in minutes)
Taking sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 30 as an example, this means that the sunscreen extends the intrinsic protection of fair skin, which is approximately 15 minutes, by a factor of 30, i.e., 15 min x 30 = 450 min.
However, the Federal Office for Radiation Protection advises using no more than 60% of the stated protection time. Regular reapplication, especially after being in water or sweating, is important not to prolong the protection, but to maintain it. You should also plan enough breaks from the sun to let your skin rest.
Furthermore: for children, always use higher SPFs (>25). The classifications and recommendations above refer to adults!
Which sun protection factor is right for my child?
The skin of babies and children is particularly sensitive to strong sunlight, as it is generally thinner than adult skin. This means that the protective mechanisms against radiation are not yet fully developed, and the skin stem cells in children are also located significantly closer to the surface. The intrinsic protection time for babies and children can therefore only be a few minutes. An adequate sun protection factor of at least 30 is therefore very important. Especially babies in their first year of life should be exposed to direct sunlight as little as possible.
We therefore recommend always covering the skin with adequate UV clothing, hats and parasols. ⇢ Click here for more tips and recommendations on sun protection for babies and children
For the sensitive skin of babies and children, as well as adults, we recommend using mineral sunscreens. These protect against both UVA and UVB radiation, form a barrier on the skin and reflect the sun's rays. This means they provide immediate protection and do not require any waiting time to take effect. Your sunscreen should ideally be compliant with the Hawaii Reef Act, which prohibits chemical filters such as oxybenzone, octocrylene and octinoxate, as these can cause damage to coral reefs. For particularly sensitive skin types, as well as for infants and children, we recommend a perfume-free sunscreen.
And now, have fun in the sun and don't forget to apply sunscreen! :)
O U R E X P E R T
Dr. med Michaela Hagemann I boep founder, doctor & 3-time mom
