Slapping On The Sunscreen Still Necessary

Most adults will remember the slip, slop, slap campaign that came out some years ago in the ever increasing fight to keep ourselves safe from sun damage. In fact, the campaign is now considered one of the most successful in changing people’s attitudes to cancer and other skin problems.

The Cancer Council added another phrase onto the original format. Seek and slide was added to encourage people to seek shade whenever they could - and slide, to slide on wrap around sunglasses to protect the eyes from damage too.

For kids, the message is even more important because it has been found that even one severe burn on tender young skin could cause problems in the future. Getting boys in particular to keep slapping on the sunscreen may be an uphill task, but considering the consequences, who cares?

For the little ones, there are things that we can do at home. Make them keep hats on, slap on high factor sun screen and get waterproof creams if they are likely to be in the water. In fact, if you start this practice early, it will become a natural habit. It’s boys who are new to the idea of sun screen who usually object to it.

Boys hate sticky things on their skin (unless it’s swamp mud or dinosaur blood) so find a sunscreen that is smooth. You can even find colourful zincs and sunscreens now which can be applied like ‘war paint’.

Just remember that boys are wriggling bundles of energy and that their sunscreen (and hats) will come off frequently. Keep the slip, slop, slap happening and encourage them to explore in the shade.