Oxford expert’s sunscreen warning as heatwave predicted

Dr Tina Tian, a consultant dermatologist at Stratum Dermatology Clinic Oxford, has provided advice on how to encourage children to wear sunscreen amid a warning about leaving kid’s skin unprotected.

This not only comes ahead of Melanoma Awareness Month (May) but also with a heatwave predicted for much of the south of England.

READ MORE: Named ‘delivery rider’ pleads guilty after cocaine arrest in Oxfordshire town

The Daily Express has said that temperatures in counties, including Oxfordshire, could soon soar to up to 23°C, citing the latest ECMWF weather model.

Its data reveals temperatures are likely to peak on April 29.

Considering this Dr Tian and Dr Ross Perry, GP and medical director of Cosmedics, have highlighted the importance of encouraging children to wear sunscreen.

Dr Perry said: “Children’s skin is significantly more delicate and vulnerable than adult skin.

“The outer barrier isn’t fully developed, which means ultraviolet (UV) radiation penetrates more easily and can cause damage at a deeper cellular level.

Photo of a past heatwave in Oxford (Image: Ed Nix)

“What many people don’t realise is that a proportion of lifetime sun damage actually occurs before the age of 18.

“Even a handful of serious sunburns in childhood can increase the risk of skin cancers, including melanoma, later in life.”

Dr Tian agrees with Dr Perry and has provided some advice on how to encourage children to wear sunscreen.

This includes making it part of their routine, involving them in the process and turning it into a game.

Dr Tian said: “I often ask my daughter what kind of face she wants me to paint with the sunscreen to try to make it more fun.”

She also suggested non-stinging sunscreen.

“When sunscreen gets into children’s eyes, it can really sting so look out for sunscreen that is labelled as non-stinging,” she advised.

“The P20 one is really good due to the fact that it’s so water-resistant, so it doesn’t really move and won’t migrate into the eyes and make them sting.”

The experts also advised explaining why it’s important, using age-appropriate language, and to make it a reciprocal process.

READ MORE: UK pothole campaigner speaks out after Transport Minister’s Oxfordshire crash

Dr Tian said: “With my son I find it really helpful to get him to put some sunscreen on me first to make it a bit of a reciprocal thing.”

Finally, she suggested letting children play with the lids and to warm up the cream beforehand.

She said: “A lot of sun creams have lids and you can draw funny faces on the lid and let your kids play with it while you’re doing the cream.”

She added: “Sun cream often feels very cold, so it can help to warm it up in your hands a bit before you start putting it on your child so it’s not too much of a shock for them.”