How SUNucate Helps Kids Protect Their Skin, With Asha Patel Shah, M.D.

Until recently, many U.S. schools required a doctor’s note for children to bring and apply sunscreen, creating a barrier to an essential form of sun protection. Asha Patel Shah, M.D., head of Medical Affairs NA, Skin Health & Beauty at Kenvue and a board-certified dermatologist, explains that this restriction stemmed from U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations classifying sunscreen as an over-the-counter drug. Since many schools have strict medication policies, sunscreen was effectively banned without a prescription.

The SUNucate initiative, supported by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association, aimed to change this by advocating for legislation that allows children to use sunscreen at school or day camps without a doctor’s note.

Today, 29 states and Washington, D.C., have passed such laws, helping to protect children from cumulative UV damage, which is linked to long-term risks like skin cancer and photoaging.

For parents and children, this means easier access to sun protection during key outdoor activities like recess, sports or walking home from school. Patel Shah recommends starting early and creating consistent routines — applying broad-spectrum sunscreen to the face, neck, arms and ears every morning. She suggests practical strategies like keeping sunscreen in a backpack for convenient reapplication or placing it on the bathroom counter as a daily cue, much like brushing teeth. By making sunscreen use habitual, children can develop lifelong sun-safe behaviors.

Early sun protection is critical because a single severe sunburn in childhood can double a person’s lifetime risk of melanoma. Children’s skin is more vulnerable to UV damage, and repeated exposures can cause DNA-level changes that accumulate over time. Protecting skin daily helps prevent these long-term risks, as well as premature aging and collagen loss.

Patel Shah also notes that many adults invest in antiaging or longevity products but often overlook sunscreen. This gap exists partly because sunscreen is seen as seasonal or cosmetic rather than essential for daily health. She emphasizes that the most effective sunscreen is one that is used consistently and enjoys user-friendly application formats, such as sticks, lotions or sprays.

Her simple advice for parents: Start small, stay consistent and lead by example. By incorporating sunscreen into a daily routine, children and adults alike can develop habits that provide long-term protection, reduce skin cancer risk and promote healthier skin over a lifetime.