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What Japanese sunscreen formula should you get for your baby?

By on June 7, 2023

Only 42% of parents use sunscreen on their children according to a questionnaire conducted by Tokiwa Pharmaceutical industry.

It’s no fun in the sun without sun protection. Sunburn and prickly heat can ruin all the fun and leave your bundle of joy feeling unwell – not to mention the potential long-term skin damage.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates suggest up to 80 per cent of a person’s lifetime exposure to UV rays happens before the age of 18 .

Dr. Eleni Linos, associate professor of dermatology at UCLA said, “Sunburn during early life, especially childhood, is very dangerous for all skin cancers but especially malignant melanoma.”  These sunburns “are actually much more dangerous than sunburns later on,” she added. “That’s why we need to really protect our kids.”

UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE: UV, UVA AND UVC RAYS

UV rays vary according to wavelength: UVA (longest wavelength), UVB (medium wavelength), and UVC (shortest wavelength). UVC rays are completely absorbed by the atmosphere thus, they do not reach the surface of the Earth making exposure to it less harmful to the skin.

What we all should be watching out for are the UVA and some UVB rays. Very often, the more harmful UVB radiation happens between the hours of 11 am and 3 pm in Japan. This is when parents should keep children completely out of the sun. Even on a cloudy day, it is possible to be sunburned by UVB radiation.

SUMMER CLASSES FOR CHILDREN IN TOKYO

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SUNSCREENS

SPF is short for Sun Protection Factor which indicates the level of protection from UVB rays. The PA often found in Japanese sunscreen brands is short for Protection Grade from UVA radiation. This Japanese grade ranking system is based on the Persistent Pigment Darkening (PPD) reaction reading at between 2-4 hours of sun exposure.

Most sunscreens sold in Japan often come in these formula-

PA+          =   UVA protection between two and four hours (medium UVA radiation, normal skin)

PA++       =   UVA protection between four and eight hours (medium UVA radiation, normal skin)

PA+++    =   Highest UVA protection over 8 hours (very strong UVA radiation, normal skin)

 

THE RIGHT SUNSCREEN FORMULA FOR BABIES

Skin exposure to UVB rays often affects the top layer of the skin that causes skin to turn red. UVA rays on the other hand goes much deeper into the inner cells in the top dermis responsible for immediate tanning or sunburn that leads to premature aging and skin cancer over time.

A Japanese pharmacist told Tokyo families, “The SPF used for babies everyday should be about 10 to 20, and PA between + to ++.”

“In places with strong sunlight such as swimming pools or sea, your baby is safer with an SPF 20 to 40, PA++ to +++ .”

Remember that sunscreens need to be reapplied every after two hours for maximum protection.

 

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