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we adopted an AA baby girl when she was 10days old now she is 14mo and finding this site is a godsend. but i have a question. it is winter and very dry. her skin is so dry no matter how much i put lotion on it. any ideas? i have just been using regular baby lotion but is just doesnt do the trick. also the biggest point of contravery is do we need to sunscreen her? i know it sounds stupid but everyone tells me i shouldnt have to but cant she burn or get skin cancer too?
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YES, please use suncreen on your little one! It is true, that it is possible for a sunburn to occur and later in life, skin cancer. This is straight from my dermatologist.
We make it a habit every morning after breakfast to put on sunscreen to exposed parts, since the kids go outside almost every day. It just becomes a routine or habit, since we all do it, expecially me (I am the fair with freckles type!).
We have two AA babies. One came home right from the hospital, the other was several months old when she came. I have always heard that shea butter is great; but I also was told to use baby petroleum jelly too. ('Baby'...because of the nice smell. :) )
Now, it can be 'messy'...so you need to consider that when applying it, and I think using it at night can be a problem if they are wearing heavy winter PJ's. (Kinda smothering, you know?).....
but......most of the time, if not put on too heavily, it works very well for the day.
I've also found a very good 'high numbered sunblock' works well too. Seems to be heavy and keeps the skin well protected, as well as well moisturized. (And yes, sun exposure is just as much as problem with AA people as with us seemingly CC people! :) )
Sincerely,
Linny
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I am AA and had the same question regarding my son since daycare was stressing the need for sunblock. I inquired since he is a darker brown complexion and was advised to use sunscreen but not necessarily the highest on the scale where sunscreen is concerned. As for skin cancer, the likelihood of an AA getting skin cancer is significantly less than with a Caucasian individual. However, there are always exceptions. For obvious reasons, AA's with fairer complexions are more susceptable but the two AA's I know who had skin cancer both had dark complexions. As for the dry skin, Eucerin, though expensive, works well. The lotions haven't worked as well as the cream but the cream is very thick and stiff and is difficult to blend in. AA's through the years have used Vaseline/Petroleum Jelly. We were raised with and are accustomed to the fact that.......it is messy. They do, however, have a creamy version of petroleum jelly now which isn't quite as messy as the "greasy" jelly. You will find all of these in your nearest Wal Mart/Target/K-Mart or any drug store. Angeluv
We nearly adopted an AA baby and his foster mom said his skin was so dry his dr recommended elidel (an excema cream). It cleared up dry skin very well. Apparently excema is common in AA infants..... from what she told me, have you had her checked?
And I know nothing about the best sunblock, lol, sorry!
Good luck!
Carrie :-)
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every child's skin is different, and this holds true with AA kids as well. we use aveeno baby moisturizing bath, plus a 1/2 tsp of aveeno oatmeal powder. this is a 2 min bath and we pat her dry, then apply aveeno baby lotion immediately, twice a day. this works well for her, but you'll have to find what works for your child.
contrary to popular opinion, AA folks need sunscreen. Even if you do not burn easily, your skin is damaged in the sun. Everyone, yes everyone, needs sunscreen applied to their skin if they want to protect their skin from aging and deterioration. Many of the oils used to moisturize skin are not so great on skin directly in sunlight (would you rub oils and go out in the sun? not unless you want to fry like a french fry). a layer of sunscreen protection over the oils will prevent this baking in the sun.
we stay away from petroleum jelly due to its origins. Since kids put their hands all in their mouths etc, we opted to keep away from petroleum products. and there are a ton of more natural un-petroleum jelly products out on the market.
On our little AA beauty I use "Soft as Me" lotion. It is made by African Royal. You can get it at Sally's. Not to expensive and shines up ashy skin like nothing you have ever seen. It's awesome! Good luck!~Em ________________1 bio daughter 6yrs. old1 adopted daughter 2.5 Yrs. oldwaiting on a baby boy. Hope it's soon!:)
My daughter is Latino and has very dry skin - I tried all sorts of products and none seemed to help very much. Her cheeks were so dry that they actually started to feel like sandpaper.
I solved the problem! I bought a small warm-air humidifier for her bedroom and a larger cool-air humidifier for the house. I can't believe what a world of difference it has made for her skin. I still use creams but she no longer has the sandpaper feel to her skin.
My son gets VERY dry skin. I have tried tons of products...nothing works like Shea butter. I buy it from a store in Long Beach, CA called Shades of Afrika, on 3rd Street near Elm. It is imported from Nigeria. It is pure and not a product that has shea butter, plus other chemicals. I don't know if you're in the L.A. area. However, you could call information and call the store. She may be able to ship it. I put in on my son's arms and legs at night after bath and before school. Keeps him soft and smooth! :)
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