How Young Is Too Young To Wear Sunscreen? Doctors Weigh In

BLOOMFIELD HILLS (WWJ) - While skin cancer is the most common of all cancers, doctors say many cases can be prevented by wearing sunscreen to guard against the sun's harmful rays.

However, WWJ's Dr. Deanna Lites reports, parents should think twice before slathering that SPF 50 on a baby.

The American Academy of Dermatology does not recommend sunscreen for babies under six months old as infants' skin is more sensitive than adults and sunscreens haven't been tested on this age group.

The recommendation for a baby is to stay in the shade in addition to wearing protective clothing and a wide-brimmed hat.

Bloomfield Hills dermatologist Linda Honet says you can start using sunscreen at six months and older.

What's her advice for parents of infants and toddlers?

"In my personal opinion I would stick to physical sunscreens — ones that have zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Those are physical sunscreens, sort of like a lead apron, per se, against the sun."

Honet recommends applying sunscreen 15 to 20 minutes before exposure and then reapplying every hour to hour in a half.