A SAVVY mum has been praised after sharing an easy sunscreen hack so you can keep your tots safe in the sun with no tantrums.
We all know that SPF protection is essential, especially on sunny days like today – but fellow parents will also be familiar with the never-ending crying and shouting when trying to apply sunscreen on their kids.
Luckily, mum Ru Amine has come to rescue just in time with her ultimate summer hack – and it’s bound to make the school holidays a total breeze.
Instead of using her fingertips to apply the skincare must-have, the Hawaiian mum has discovered a hassle-free method to make the ordeal simpler by using a make-up bag essential.
The video, posted on TikTok, sees the savvy parent squirting the thick lotion onto a wide make-up brush, as her curly-haired little one enjoys himself on a towel in front of a pool.
Holding her son’s teeny foot, Ru manages to cover his whole leg with sunscreen using just three strokes of the brush – and the little summer lover didn’t seem to be too bothered about this.
As the mini tot is smothered in a uniform layer of the summer essential, Ru recommended in the caption: “Use a makeup brush to make the application fast and easy.”
When it was time to cover the child’s face, the Hawaiian parent went extra careful around the eyes to avoid any burning sensation and irritation.
The genius advice has already amassed more than a staggering 150k views on her page, where she regularly chronicles all things parenting related.
The NHS cautions that while infants and children are not specifically more susceptible to sunburn due to their sensitive skin, the resultant damage could potentially have more severe effects.
The experts suggest avoiding direct sunlight for kids aged six months or under, while stressing the necessity for parents to adhere to additional safety measures between the more sunny months of March and October.
Parents are strongly advised to dress children in appropriate clothing, staying in shade during the peak heat, and using a sunscreen of at least SPF30 on all exposed areas, as well as a forgotten place – the scalp.
“Any part of your skin exposed to the sun can burn. The scalp is an extension of our facial skin and requires protection and nourishment in the same way,” warned Abi Cleeve, managing director at Ultrasun UK, in a chat with Look Fantastic.
”In fact, the scalp is particularly vulnerable as it is so often exposed without protection.
“Many people are simply not aware that the scalp is susceptible to sunburn.
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Strip them off
It might sound simple, but stripping kids off at home can really help them regulate their temperature when it’s warm outside. Just remember to regularly apply suncream, as more of their skin will be exposed to the sun.
Cool down bedrooms before nighttime
When it’s hot outside, it can be difficult for kids to go to sleep – especially if their bedroom feels like an oven. If you have a room that’s not in direct sunshine, keep the windows open to let in a breeze. It’s also a good idea to keep the curtains closed, to prevent the room from heating up.
Wear a hat
Another simple technique, but one that really works. Make sure that if your kids are playing outside, they’ve got a hat on. It keeps their face and head shielded from the sun, and also helps if you’ve got a little one who struggles with bright sunlight. If your tot struggles to keep a hat on, try one with a strap that goes under the chin to help.
Avoid the car
The car can be one of the hottest places during a heatwave, and often takes a long time to cool down. If you have the option, it’s better to stay at home rather than taking kids out anywhere in a hot car.
Stay hydrated
This is always important, but even more so in a heatwave. Make sure you’re regularly reminding your kids to have a drink, and top them up with cool liquids whenever you can. Use ice too to ensure it’s as cold as it can possibly be.
”When they think of applying sunscreen, they primarily focus on the more visible areas like the face, arms, and legs. The scalp, covered by hair, often gets overlooked.”
In the unfortunate event of your kid ending up sunburnt, Kids Health advises that they should take a cool – and not a cold – shower or bath shortly afterwards.
Parents can then follow this a cool compress to soothe the burn when needed.
The experts at the site also encourage parents to ensure their little ones consume extra fluids for two or three days following a sunburn while their skin heals.
Meanwhile, to provide some comfort and relief during this period, it’s also suggested using moisturising creams or aloe gel.
