Millions of parents have never applied sun protection to their children, study claims

Half those surveyed said their kids suffered from sunburn in the past

Millions of parents may have never applied sun protection to their children – even in the summer months, a study has suggested.

Research which explored parents’ attitudes to sun protection found one in 10 can’t recall a time when they used sun lotion to protect their child’s skin.

Of those who have never applied sun protection to their kids, nearly a third said they “didn’t think their child’s skin needed it”.

It also emerged one in four parents think “the sun in the UK isn’t strong enough” to warrant the extra precaution, and one in five believe the sun “isn’t harmful on overcast days”.

Garnier UKI’s general manager, Charlotte Blanchard, said: “We know parents have their hands full simply feeding, dressing and getting their kids washed at times.

“As role models, we need parents and teachers to set an example for their children about how important sun protection is, during the school day and elsewhere.

“Yet this poll has found a host of reasons why it’s not happening.”

Dermatologist Dr. Justine Kluk added: “Sunscreen application is most crucial between April and September when UV levels are at their peak.

“Parents and schools would be well advised to start thinking about sun protection now.”

The study also found nearly half of the parents surveyed said their child has suffered from sunburn in the past.

Of these, a third blamed this on the fact they were unprepared and didn’t have sun cream with them when needed, while 30 per cent said they forgot to reapply the sun protector frequently enough to prevent burning.

However, a diligent 50 per cent of mums and dads of children aged five to 11 ensure they apply sun protection to their kids every day through the hotter summer months.

When selecting which sun protection to use, more than half of parents will buy based on the highest star rating and reviews, while 38 per cent go for a well-known brand they recognise.

A third of parents, however, aren’t sure what the abbreviation SPF – Sun Protection Factor – stands for when buying sun cream.

SWNS