If you are like a lot of parents, the scores of sunscreen choices on local drugstore shelves can be daunting. Between the sticks and the sprays, lotions and the oils, parents can spend hours scratching their heads, unsure on how to protect their children.

No need to worry. Mid-South dermatologist Robert Skinner, M.D., has some advice to make those choices easier. Skinner, who works with the UT Medical Group, is board certified by the American Board of Dermatology.

For starters, Skinner recommends that parents use what’s called a physical sunscreen that contains titanium oxide and zinc oxide. Lotions with those ingredients tend to be thicker and look white when first applied.

Skinner also cautions parents to stay away from sprays, even though they may seem more convenient for busy children.

“You also have to be sure you have a UVA protector, not just UVB,” Skinner said, adding that there has been a bigger emphasis on UVA protection in recent years.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, UVB rays are the sun’s burning rays and the primary cause of sunburn and skin cancer. UVA rays penetrate deeper into the dermis, or basic layer of skin and can also contribute to sunburns and skin cancer.

Armed with physical sunscreen and UVA and UVB blockers, it’s also important to check the sun protection factor level. An SPF number measures how long you can stay out without getting red, and doesn’t necessarily mean that one bottle of lotion is stronger than another, Skinner said. When parents look for a good level for their children, SPF 30 should be enough.

Skinner recommends that parents also reapply sun block every couple of hours, especially when children are in the water or sweating alot. It’s also important to apply the sunscreen before going outside, he said. Not only is it difficult to get children to stand still once they are at the pool, there also a chance you might forget to apply once you are outside.

Speaking of outside, Skinner recommends that parents be smart when considering when to apply the lotion. If you are going to the beach, an amusement park or the zoo, for example, put it on.

“I think anytime you’re out for a prolonged period of time, it’s best to err on the side of caution,” he said.

But if you do forget, and your child does burn, there’s no real quick fix. Baths and emollient creams can help some, though. He recommends the over-the-counter Sarna lotion for burns.