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Use skin care routine is one of the steps that must be done if you want to have healthy and clean skin. Usually, usage skin care begins when a person starts to become a teenager, because that's when the skin starts to change and various problems arise such as acne. But what about babies and children? Can children use it skin care?
Can children use skin care?
In fact, the skin has a natural protective mechanism called a barrier function. Some say that the skin of newborns has a barrier function equivalent to that of adults.
The skin barrier function is the outermost layer of skin cells together with a lipid matrix consisting of ceramides and fatty acids. This layer serves to protect the skin from external environmental irritants and free radicals.
The concept is the same as a brick wall. Dry skin cells are likened to bricks, while the cement that connects the bricks is the lipid matrix.
The characteristic of this barrier is watertight, so it will prevent the loss of water in the skin which in turn can become a barrier to the entry of harmful irritants.
However, still the skin of babies and young children has a difference when compared to the skin of adults. The skin of babies and children is naturally softer, more sensitive and fragile.
In addition, the development of children's skin is still ongoing in the early years of growth. Certain skin structures, such as the sebaceous glands, which act as skin moisturizers, are still not working optimally like teenage skin moisture.
Even young children are more likely to develop impaired barrier function because their skin has a higher water content. Young children's skin also has a much lower natural moisturizing factor.
Moreover, newborn babies do not have an acid mantle which functions to balance lipids between cells to maintain skin hydration. This acid mantle is only formed during the first month of the baby's birth.
Young children's skin layers are 30% thinner than adult skin. This factor can increase the risk of young children for skin diseases caused by exposure to UV rays. It is not impossible if there will be a risk of skin cancer from an early age.
Choose skin care for children
After knowing how sensitive and vulnerable children's skin is, the use of skin care is of course necessary to provide extra protection to baby's skin.
You certainly have to pay more attention when cleaning your child's skin because this will affect their health.
Especially if your child is in the age group who is actively exploring the environment around him, such as 3-5 years. These children are prone to exposure to feces after a day of playing outside, also when they eat themselves, it is not uncommon for food scraps to stick to their cheeks.
However, of course skin care what is meant for children is not like a product for adults. You have to take into account the differences in children's skin structure when it comes to using the right product.
The product you choose for bathing the child must also be considered. Better to choose soap or other products that do not contain fragrances. The reason is, products that have fragrance usually contain chemicals that are too harsh for children's skin.
To keep children's skin moisturised, product skin care which can be used is a moisturizer. Especially if your child often lives in an air-conditioned room.
Dr. Tsippora Shainhouse, a dermatologist, suggests using a moisturizer made of creams instead of lotions because they last longer and don't dry out quickly.
To choose the right moisturizing product, you don't have to buy a special moisturizer for children. Moisturizers without fragrance can also be used.
Moisturizer is applied to the skin about three minutes after bathing or before bed. The point is, using a moisturizer will help maintain the hydration of the skin you get when you shower.
It is also important to use protective products when going to places where there are mosquitoes and insects. Apart from wearing clothes and trousers, also apply these products before traveling. Choose a product that contains 10-30% DEET.
Do not use the product around the eyes and mouth, nor is it recommended for use in babies under two months.
Children also need to use sunscreen
Source: Naukrinama.com
The skin actually needs vitamin D intake which can be obtained from sunlight. However, as already explained, the thinner layer of a child's skin makes it more sensitive to UV rays. Therefore, children also need to use sunscreen.
Choose sunscreen products to protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays. Sunscreen also preferably waterproof and contains SPF 30. For children who have sensitive skin, choose sunscreen with zinc oxide and titanium oxide.
This material will physically block the sun's rays from penetrating the skin and will not cause a burning sensation. The irritation caused by these materials is also less than that sunscreen which contain other chemical substances.
Remember that by using sunscreen that doesn't mean you can let your child play outdoors for long periods of time. Keep limiting sun exposure in children and re-applying the screen every two hours.
If your child has skin problems such as eczema, redness, or sensitive baby skin, first check with the doctor that the skin care products used are safe.
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