When it comes to sunscreen basics there still seems to be some confusion over when and how much to apply to the arms and shoulders of our kids. Some parents believe that too much will be detrimental or that there are time when no protection is needed at all. Below is a quick rundown that reveals the truth about basic sun protection.

• All sun expsosure, even if it produces a tan, is harmful for the skin. Any sort of tan damages the skin. Over time the more sun exposure a child receives, the more likely he/she will develop skin cancer.
• An umbrella does not eliminate the need for further sun protection such as sunblock. The sun's rays are reflected by the ground and will cause a burn despite the fact that you are sitting in the shade. Shade is still a great form of protection, just don't forget to lather up with sunscreen.
• UVA rays do penetrate glass windows. This makes riding in the car a situation where sunscreen is still needed, especially for youn, delicate skin.
• Most adults and children get enough Vitamin D from sources other than the sun. So the myth that too much sunscreen inhibits the body's ability to produce Vitamin D is not applicable.
• Sunscreen is needed even when it is cloudy outside. Up to 80% of the sun's UV rays are able to penetrate cloud cover.
• Parents need to lather on the sunscreen just as much as kids. Grownups will still receive up to 75% of their sun exposure after they reach adulthood. It is imperative to cover up our children and then continue to protect ourselves for a life of healthy skin.

The above are just some basic facts about sun protection, but when followed the likelihood for serious skin cacncer problems can be reduced or eliminated.

When I slather sunscreen on the shoulders of my fair haired toddler, I trust that the claims on the bottle are accurate. I believe that by frequently covering is pale skin in cream, his epidermis will be safe, healthy and cancer free. It turns out this might not be the case.

A recent study by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a Washington-based nonprofit, found that many of the most popular sunscreens do not provide any protection against harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays and break down too fast in the sun. Most consumers rely on the SPF number when buying a sunscreen, the higher the number the better the protection. But what continues to slip through the cracks is the sun block's ability to protect from UVA rays. The UVA rays damage skin without leaving a burn and are the main cause of skin cancer.

There is hope on the horizon. The FDA is addressing the UVA issues and is hoping to have some standards in place by the end of the summer. This is good news to those of us who heavily rely on sunblock as a protective effort to sun damage.