Son won’t wear sun screen - should I give up? :(

[Nicoal]

Ds 13 has always hated sunscreen. But in previous years we’ve got by with a combination of nagging and white lies (saying teacher says they have to wear it etc). Since secondary school and being more independent it has been pretty much impossible to insist. He hardly wears it. He plays sport and comes back with a red face and arms. Says it doesn’t hurt. I don’t know what to do, I have told him risks of skin cancer but he just ignores me. Not sure what to do

Same as another poster, watching grandparents suffer with skin cancer because it wasn't available not a cat in hells chance my kids are dodging it. I appreciate there's an age where you can't control it but at 13 I would still be enforcing it

Try the alternatives suggested. However, the alternatives or suncream should be non-negotiable, if nothing worn, then no sport. Let the coach or teacher know this is the case.

Try Lifejacket lifejacketskin.com/products/spf-50-sun-gel?variant=44454377783602
It's advertised for men primarily and my ds has been much happier to use it (redhead). It's totally non-sticky and lasts for hours even when doing sport.

What will you do, OP?
When you say "red"... is a sunburn that is red for days and peels, or just red for a few hours?

After a big pointless row, My older 2 got bad sunburns at age 12 & 14 & don't avoid sunblock now.

Thanks guys, I realise I am going to have to persevere with this. Will buy a range of products, including the dry spray and hope he will use one. A lot of the sport is at school do I can’t ban him from it unfortunately. They also have other times they are outside eg field trips. @lljkk it tends to be very red when he gets home but by the next day less red but you can still see he’s been burnt, no peeling so far thankfully

@NeverDropYourMooncup you can ban him from school sport - you can remove your permission for him to do all outdoor sports unless he is safe and only give permission for indoor sports in summer; and he when he is coming home red and burnt that is not the case.

You won't be popular. But don't think you can't - its your job (and the school's) to safeguard him. And his responsibility to listen

Any luck so far?

Can you not just mix it in with his moisturiser?

Melanoma kills. I've just lost someone quite young, it's heartbreaking. Don't give up.