Dr. Elena Natalia Stanimir, a dermatologist who provides online consultations on the Digital Clinics platform, spoke to us at length about how to care for the skin of babies and young children. Here are her best tips:
“The skin of a young child, although it has the same functions, is much more sensitive than that of an adult. It has certain peculiarities: the cells are smaller, the connective fibers are thinner, the amount of lipids on the surface is lower, so it dehydrates faster. The number of melanocytes is also lower. If we know these characteristics, we understand why children need special care,” explained Dr. Elena Natalia Stanimir.
Cleansing the skin is done with gentle products such as gels, moisturizing creams, oils, without perfume, without soap, without antibacterial agents, intended for sensitive skin. Short baths and drying the skin by patting are also recommended.
Moisturizing the skin in the first 5 minutes after bathing is essential. Gentle, fragrance-free, alcohol-free moisturizers are recommended to avoid skin irritation. Use oilier products such as balms instead of lotions to treat dry skin.
Sun protection. Children's skin contains a smaller amount of melanin, the pigment responsible for its color, which plays a role in the skin's natural protection against UV rays. Do not expose your child to the sun in the first 6 months of life. Use creams with a high sun protection factor and reapply every 2 hours. Use protective clothing (light-colored clothing, possibly with UV protection, hats) and avoid sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunburn during childhood increases the risk of skin cancer in later life.
Schedule a consultation on the Digital Clinics platform with Dr. Elena-Natalia Stanimir, here: Consult Dr. Elena-Natalia Stanimir
