It’s back to school season, a time to swap one stress for another. There’s no resting as a parent, and your child’s skin concerns might be one more thing that brings you anxiety. Here are some tips and tricks to make sure that everyone’s happy.
Babies and Infants
- First 6 months – no sunscreen, no sun exposure.1 Cover them up in clothing and don’t let them be exposed to the sun.
- Most newborns don’t need to bathe every day; they don’t get as dirty as you think while their mobility is limited. Wiping is often all you need.
- Dry skin or eczema? 6 to 12 months is often the age that the symptoms first show up. Take them to a health care provider for a check-up.
Under 10
- Kids are impressionable: They are a prime target for marketers.2 While we as parents often think of kids as rebellious, from a marketer’s perspective, kids basically mimic everything parents do throughout their life.3 The first ten years of a child’s life is the best time to build good foundational habits, personal hygiene or study, and caring for their health.
- Sun Protection: Habits are taught. Every child is taught to brush their teeth until it becomes a daily habit. Unfortunately, most of us weren’t trained to slap on the sunscreen and subsequently have difficulty getting into the habit. Give their skin an extra ten years by instilling a habit of applying sunscreen. There’s no better beauty gift that you could give them.
- Skincare and Hygiene: Teach your kids the basics of hygiene. Cleansing and washing are essential, of course. Start with washing or rinsing their face with just water not to damage their sensitive skin. Moisturizers are also not a luxury item – they help to keep the skin protected against the elements.
Teens – The Acne Years
- Acne dominates when it comes to teen skin problems.
- Every skin is unique, but it’s hard to accept this, even for adults.
- Acne has a significant social and psychological impact. As social creatures, we can’t help but compare ourselves to others, and it’s hard not to notice others with seemingly perfect skin. Listen to your teen’s concerns; it’s real, and see a dermatologist.
- Don’t make the mistake of thinking that acne can’t be treated; it’s not true. Acne treatment has come a long way since you were a teenager.
- Unfortunately, acne treatment still takes diligence and patience. Support your teen, but they also need to understand that results won’t come right away like many things in life.
- Teach them the basics: Don’t pick at the pimples, cleansing after gym class and before bed, removing makeup properly.
- Try products one at a time; it’s the only way to know which ones work and which ones don’t.
1http://babyskincare.com/sun-protection/newborn-sun-protection.html
2https://www.businessinsider.com/shocking-ways-companies-get-kids-hooked-on-brands-2011-10
3https://www.forbes.com/sites/bridgetbrennan/2012/03/12/why-kids-and-parents-now-aspire-to-the-same-brands/#430c203f2bd6
