1 Depts of Dermatology and Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 4200 E Ninth Ave, Denver, CO 80262
To the Editor.
With the commercial availability of sunscreens for children, we are frequently asked by parents and by our colleagues in Pediatrics, "What sunscreen should be used on babies under 6 months?" Our answer is simple. "None." Although there is no evidence to suggest that sunscreens are harmful to infants, there is no compelling reason for infants less than 6 months to have sun exposure prolonged enough to require sunscreens. Babies younger than 6 months are not mobile and will not be exposed to the sun unless placed there.