3 year old tanning

[MiddleClassProblem]

Posting for traffic and advice. All I can find on the internet is information telling you how bad tanning is for kids etc but nowhere has advice for kids that have anything other than white ethnicity that just bloody tan!

DD, last year, same sun cream, same application routine, no tan. This year her skin seems to have changed and is tanning despite extra applications.

I have a similar issue myself but until now her skin seemed more like my husband’s white skin but this year seems to be reacting more like mine.

Example, I was recently told off by a white friend for my tan lines I had got telling me it’s skin damage. I got them by walking to the shop, out the house for 30 mins so probably 20 mins possible sun exposure, but occasionally in the shade because I’m walking in roads with a few turns, factor 30 on thick (I let it soak it same for with DD).

I can’t find anywhere that adivices on this kind of skin and for me I’ve been more relaxed in the past but now DD is getting it I really want to protect her more.

Is there a special type of sun cream? What do others do? She wears tshirts or rash vests in the pool too, sun creamed everywhere including underneath where maybe covered, at least 15 mins before going outside. She has factor 50 and I reapply around every 1.5hrs atm or once dry post pool. I could try to up it but it’s a bit of a battle anyway.

I just feel like everywhere is saying tending kids is wrong and you’re an ignorant, lazy parent if you let it happen but nowhere seems to address the ones that it’s hard to stop tanning.

Honestly, any tips, please help!

Sorry, excessively long post going round in circles a bit!

Don't use any cream less than a factor of 50, wearing cotton clothing with long sleeves and a hat. Reapply cream after w swimming and every 20 mins. Clothing is more protective than cream. Limit the amount of the time she plays out in fierce sun and middle of the day

Suncream doesn’t prevent tanning it prevents burning. As long as you are keeping you dc covered in factor 50 and out of the sun when it’s hottest, she will be fine. My two have tanned legs and arms from wearing shorts and t shirts but I know they’re safe because I practically bathe them in suncream all summer.

Same for me and my sons. Factor 50, sun hats l. They tan through this anyway though, as do i

I think it depends on how easily kids tan.My mum was convinced l even got brown through a window.

I think there is too much fuss over suncream. Sure if it’s boiling hot and exposed I’d put it on, but not for trotting to the shops. Over use of sunscreen depletes Vitamin D. Dd is 12 now. Reasonably fair skinned but never been burnt

Reapply suncream every 20mins?

I am mixed race, I don't actually get what your point even is??? What is the problem with tanning exactly?? my daughter is also mixed race as her dad is mixed too and she tans... and what? I mostly cover her if I know she will be out for the day (when I say cover I mean flowing white dresses, this is the best protection over suncream) but of course, if we pop to the shop we both get tanned because our skin is more PIGMENTED. Do you understand that?

My kids are mixed white and asian, and could honestly get a tan off the fridge light!
They don’t burn, but I still put favtor 50 on them.
My 21 month old is rocking a serious tshirt tan at the moment!!
Clearly got more of their dad’s genes than me! I would burn in the arctic

@MiddleClassProblem I'm so confused by this post . If they are burning re-apply the lotion more frequently .

I'm talking about melanin, I'm half afro the Caribbean as is my daughter and her dad. What is your skin type exactly?? you havent specified that

If you don't want your child's skin to change then cover them up?

Tanning is normal.

My 3 year old also has skin that goes deep brown after a few moments of sun exposure. She's always covered in factor 50 and loose cotton clothing but she also runs warm anyway so can't cope with long sleeves/trousers in warm weather. We stay in between 11 and 3/4 generally but it makes no difference.

There is nothing I can do to stop her skin changing colour other than keeping her inside during daylight hours all summer which I refuse to do as we would both go insane.

I'm very pale and freckled, I have never had a tan in my life due to my skin type. Nothing I can do about that either.

Some people's skin reacts differently to sunlight and there is nothing you can do about that but take the necessary precautions to minimize the damage.

No one is burning. Articles left right and centre saying tanning is skin damage and I’m saying how the fuck are we meant to avoid it?

Mine have been in factor 50 all summer, frequently reapplied. Both have tanned legs/arms where they weren’t covered by clothes.

I live in a hot country and my 2 dc have always lived in the heat/pools. I'm olive dark skinned and they are like me and tan from a lightbulb! They wear factor 70 neutrogena baby wet spray and I reapply it at lunch if out for the day. They have white bottoms and tanned bodies but they do not burn and that's the dangerous part. Obviously don't let your child get too much sun/dehydrate etc but please don't worry. I see people on holiday here with children literally covered from head to toe never allowed a ray of sunshine and not looking very well! A balance is needed, shade is important (sometimes hats etc) when playing particularly around water and never ever get burnt!

Me and my DP have olive skin so our DS is the same. He is 2yo and has gone a lovely golden colour the past 2 summers. He still has colour to him through winter. He wears a factor 30 and I put it on morning, and then midday. Absolutely no burning, no redness and definitely no sun damage. I appreciate that most children have fair skin and parents have to be very cautious as they burn easily but my own DS could just look outside and he would change colour I'm not worried at all.

OP - suncream, a sun hat and free-flowing white clothes to cover them, this is the only answer. This is a slightly ridiculous post

Mine tans with factor 50 reapplied frequently enough as well.

I think you are thoroughly overthinking it. My daughter is white but still tans so I’m not sure what that has got to do with anything. A tan is normal and part of the skins defence. You are allowed to let your children get some sun.

I hsve 2 kids who are both tanned. Never been burnt.
I dont get the issue? As long as they have cream on and not burnt the tan really doesnt worry me.
They need some sun.

Ignore the articles

I think you are being perfectly sensible in the sun and that gaining a bit of colour isn't the end of the world, my son has a 'farmer's tan' on his arms and I am sensible and make sure he never burns but it's just a sign he spend a lot of time playing outdoors.

I’m Asian European mixed raced. As I said, I tan easily and have never worried about it, different generation but you look after your kids better than yourself too.

Anyway, I’ve had it barked at me a lot that tanning is skin damage even from the nhs articles it seems I’m a shit parent for letting this happen but it really feel like they aren’t looking at the bigger picture or if they are they aren’t giving acknowledgement to it and saying advice to support that.

I’m glad I’m not the only one this is happening to. I have felt like I’ve been shamed by it happening. People have commented and I was worried.

Just apply the factor 50 and stop worrying. Ignore those who judge. You have done your best.

I burn just looking out the window and am extremely diligent about sun cream for myself and my kids. I live in the US and it’s hot and sunny here in the summer and have a sun tan and so does my 3 year old. As long as you are applying the sun cream correctly, and she is not burning then there is no problem