Skin Cancer in Children: Grand Rapids, MI Parent Guide

UV damage that builds up during childhood and the teen years is strongly linked to a higher risk of skin cancer later in life. The United States has some of the highest skin cancer rates in the world, and more than 2 in 3 Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime.

For families in Grand Rapids, Michigan, protecting kids from the sun is especially important because UV exposure happens year-round—even when it’s cold, cloudy, or snowy.

Why Sun Protection Matters for Grand Rapids Kids

UV Exposure in Michigan’s Climate

In West Michigan, parents often think more about snow boots than sunscreen. But UV radiation can be high even when temperatures are low. Sunlight reflects off snow, water, and concrete along the Grand River, Lake Michigan beaches, and neighborhood playgrounds, increasing UV exposure.

  • UV can be strong on:
    • Sunny summer days at Millennium Park, John Ball Zoo, or Lake Michigan beaches
    • Cool, breezy spring days on school fields
    • Winter days with bright sun and snow, when UV reflects off the snow
  • UV radiation can still cause damage on cloudy days in Grand Rapids

Around 25% of a person’s lifetime sun exposure occurs in the first 20 years of life. Studies show that UV exposure in the first 18 years is especially critical for skin-cancer–causing damage and premature skin aging.

Why Infants and Young Children Are at Higher Risk

Infants and toddlers (up to 4 years old) are particularly vulnerable to UV damage because:

  • They have lower levels of melanin (the pigment that helps protect skin)
  • Their outer layer of skin is thinner, so UV penetrates more deeply

This makes careful sun protection essential for babies and young children in Grand Rapids.

UV Radiation: What Parents Need to Know

We can see sunlight and feel heat from the sun, but we cannot see or feel UV radiation. UV can:

  • Reach skin directly from the sun
  • Be scattered in the air
  • Reflect off surfaces like:
    • Water (Lake Michigan, pools, rivers)
    • Sand and snow
    • Concrete and buildings in downtown Grand Rapids

UV also passes through light cloud cover, so waiting for a “hot, sunny day” to use sunscreen is not enough. UV can damage skin even when it’s cool or overcast.

When Is Sun Protection Needed in Grand Rapids?

Whenever the UV Index is 3 or higher, everyone—children and adults—should use sun protection.

In Michigan, UV levels commonly reach 3 or higher from late spring through early fall, and can be elevated on bright winter days with snow.

You can check daily UV levels and sun protection times for Grand Rapids by:

  • Using the EPA UV Index or SunSmart Global UV app
  • Checking local weather apps that include UV Index for Grand Rapids
  • Watching local forecasts from WOOD-TV8, FOX 17, WZZM 13

At UV 3 or higher, sun protection is recommended for all skin types, including darker skin tones.

The “Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide” Rule for Grand Rapids Families

Teach your child or teen to be “SunSmart” using 5 sun protection measures:

  1. Slip on sun-protective clothing
  2. Slop on SPF 30+ or 50+ broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen
  3. Slap on a sun-protective hat
  4. Seek shade
  5. Slide on sunglasses

Using a combination of these steps offers the best protection, especially during outdoor activities like recess, sports, festivals, or days at Lake Michigan.

Sun-Protective Clothing for Children

During peak UV times in Grand Rapids, aim for cool, loose-fitting clothing that covers as much skin as possible.

Better fabric choices include:

  • Natural fibers:
    • Cotton
    • Linen
    • Hemp
  • Lightweight synthetics:
    • Polyester
    • Nylon
    • Lycra
    • Polypropylene

The tighter the weave or knit, the better the sun protection. Some clothing is labeled with UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor), which is ideal for long days at the beach, sports tournaments, or outdoor camps.

Using Sunscreen Safely With Children

General Sunscreen Tips

For children in Grand Rapids:

  • Choose a broad-spectrum, SPF 30 or SPF 50+, water-resistant sunscreen
  • Apply to all skin not covered by clothing or hats about 20 minutes before going outside
  • Use enough: most people under-apply sunscreen
  • Reapply:
    • Every 2 hours
    • More often if swimming, sweating, or towel-drying—even if labeled “4-hour water-resistant”
  • Do not use sunscreen as the only form of protection or as a reason to stay out longer in strong sun

Store sunscreen at room temperature, away from direct heat (for example, not in a hot car in a Grand Rapids summer) and do not use past its expiry date.

Teaching Young Children to Use Sunscreen

From about 3 years of age, encourage kids to start applying their own sunscreen (under supervision) to build independence for preschool and school:

  • Put:
    • A dot on each cheek, nose, and chin
    • A few squiggles on arms and legs not covered by clothing
  • Teach them to spread it carefully to cover all exposed skin

Make sunscreen part of the routine before:

  • School
  • Sports
  • Park visits
  • Beach or pool days

Sunscreen and Babies

Babies Under 6 Months

For infants under 6 months, sunscreen is generally not recommended. Their skin is very sensitive and burns easily.

Instead, focus on:

  • Keeping babies out of direct sun, especially between late morning and mid-afternoon
  • Using:
    • Wide-brimmed hats
    • Long sleeves and long pants made from lightweight, breathable fabrics
    • Shade (strollers with canopies, umbrellas, shade tents)

If sun exposure can’t be avoided, you may occasionally use a small amount of baby or sensitive sunscreen on tiny exposed areas (like the back of the hands), but only after discussing with your pediatrician.

Babies Over 6 Months

When using sunscreen for older babies:

  • Choose a baby or sensitive skin sunscreen
  • Look for products that use physical (mineral) blockers like:
    • Zinc oxide
    • Titanium dioxide
  • These are usually gentler and less likely to irritate young skin

Patch (Usage) Test

If you’re worried about reactions:

  1. Apply a small amount of the new sunscreen to a small area of your baby’s skin (like the forearm)
  2. Do this once a day for a few days
  3. Watch for redness, rash, or irritation

If any unusual reaction appears, stop using the product and seek advice from your child’s pediatrician or a dermatologist. In Grand Rapids, pediatric dermatology services are available through:

  • Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health)
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
  • Local dermatology clinics in Kent County

Hats: Essential Protection for Kids in Grand Rapids

To protect the neck, ears, temples, face, and nose, children should wear:

  • Broad-brimmed hats
  • Bucket hats
  • Legionnaire hats (with a flap covering the neck)

Avoid:

  • Baseball caps
  • Visors

These leave the ears, neck, and parts of the face exposed and offer poor sun protection.

Hat Fit and Safety

  • Choose hats that:
    • Can be adjusted at the crown
    • Have a safety-release strap if a chin strap is used (to reduce choking risk)
  • A brim that shades the eyes can reduce UV to the eyes by up to 50%

Indicative minimum brim widths:

  • Infants and toddlers: at least 5 cm
  • Children 8–12 years: 5–6 cm
  • Adults: 5–6 cm

Shade: Important, But Not Enough on Its Own

Use shade whenever possible:

  • Choose shady play areas in Grand Rapids parks and schoolyards
  • Bring your own shade:
    • Umbrellas
    • Pop-up shade tents
    • Canopies

However, even in the shade, children can still be exposed to UV due to reflection from:

  • Concrete and buildings
  • Sand and water
  • Snow

So it’s important that kids continue to wear a hat, protective clothing, and sunscreen even when they’re in the shade.

Remember: as the sun moves across the sky, the shaded area also moves. Adjust your position or shade to stay protected.

Protecting Children’s Eyes: Sunglasses and Hats

During times of higher UV in Grand Rapids, protect your child’s eyes by combining:

  • A broad-brimmed hat
  • Sunglasses

Where practical, choose sunglasses that:

  • Are close-fitting, wrap-around styles
  • Cover as much of the eye area and surrounding skin as possible
  • Meet recognized UV protection standards (look for labels indicating 100% UV protection or UV400)

Encourage your child to wear sunglasses at:

  • Outdoor sports practices and games
  • Parks, pools, and beaches
  • Snowy winter days with bright sun

Teenagers and Sun Protection in Grand Rapids

Why Teens Are at Risk

Teens in Grand Rapids often spend a lot of time outdoors:

  • School sports and band
  • Beach trips to Lake Michigan
  • Festivals, concerts, and parks

Most adolescents know that too much sun is harmful, but they may:

  • Forget to use sun protection
  • Avoid hats or long sleeves for style reasons
  • Underestimate UV risk on cooler or cloudy days

How to Encourage Your Teen

  • Talk appearance, not just health
    Emphasize:

    • Premature aging
    • Wrinkles
    • Freckles and blotchy skin
    • Peeling, painful sunburn

  • Give them choices
    Let them choose:

    • Clothing styles that are sun-protective but still “cool”
    • Sunglasses and hats they like (many surf and sports brands make stylish bucket hats and wrap-around sunglasses)

  • Make sunscreen easy

    • Keep travel-size sunscreen by the door, in backpacks, sports bags, and cars
    • Remind them to apply before leaving the house and reapply during long outdoor events

  • Be a role model
    Teens are more likely to use sun protection if adults around them do too.

Partnering With Grand Rapids Schools and Childcare

Work with your child’s:

  • School
  • Preschool
  • Daycare
  • Sports teams and clubs

Encourage them to develop or strengthen a sun safety or UV protection policy that includes:

  • Shade in playgrounds and outdoor areas
  • Encouraging hats and sun-protective clothing for recess and sports
  • Allowing and encouraging sunscreen use
  • Education about UV and skin cancer in health or science curriculum

Local resources such as the Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health programs may offer materials or guidance on child sun safety and skin cancer prevention.

Local Grand Rapids & Michigan Resources

If you’re concerned about your child’s skin, moles, or sunburns, or want personalized advice:

  • Your pediatrician or family doctor

    • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health)
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health and other local clinics

  • Dermatologists in Grand Rapids
    For skin checks, mole evaluation, and managing sunscreen allergies or reactions

  • Kent County Health Department
    Offers public health information and may have educational resources on sun safety and skin cancer prevention

  • Grand Rapids Public Health and community clinics
    Can provide guidance and help connect you with local services

In emergencies, or if your child has a severe sunburn with blistering, fever, or signs of dehydration, seek urgent medical care or contact your local urgent care or emergency department.

Key Points for Grand Rapids Parents

  • Too much UV can cause sunburn, skin and eye damage, and skin cancer.
  • Infants and toddlers (up to 4 years) are especially vulnerable because they have less melanin and thinner skin.
  • UV damage in childhood and adolescence greatly increases the risk of skin cancer later in life.
  • In Michigan, UV can be harmful even on cool, cloudy, or snowy days.
  • Children should continue to wear a hat, appropriate clothing, and sunscreen even in the shade.
  • The best protection is a combination of:
    • Covering clothing
    • Broad-brimmed hat
    • Broad-spectrum SPF 30+ or 50+ sunscreen
    • Shade
    • Sunglasses

By building strong sun-safe habits early, Grand Rapids families can significantly reduce their children’s risk of skin cancer and keep them safer in every Michigan season.