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. 2020:38:e2018319.
doi: 10.1590/1984-0462/2020/38/2018319. Epub 2020 May 8.

BATHING, MAKE-UP, AND SUNSCREEN: WHICH PRODUCTS DO CHILDREN USE?

[Article in Portuguese, English]
Thayane Guimarães de Melo  1 , Mayara Schulze Cosechen Rosvailer  1 , Vânia Oliveira de Carvalho  1
Affiliations

BATHING, MAKE-UP, AND SUNSCREEN: WHICH PRODUCTS DO CHILDREN USE?

[Article in Portuguese, English]
Thayane Guimarães de Melo et al. Rev Paul Pediatr. 2020.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objective: To evaluate the hygiene practices and frequency of use of personal hygiene products, cosmetics, and sunscreen among children and adolescents.

Methods: Cross-sectional study with interviews about skincare conducted with caregivers through closed-ended questions. We included patients up to 14 years of age waiting for consultation in pediatric outpatient clinics of a tertiary hospital. We performed a descriptive statistical analysis and applied the Kruskal-Wallis test and Fisher's exact test to compare the practices according to maternal schooling.

Results: We conducted 276 interviews. The median age of the participants was age four, and 150 (54.3%) were males. A total of 143 (51.8%) participants bathed once a day and 128 (46.3%) bathed two or more times a day, lasting up to ten minutes in 132 (47.8%) cases. Adult soap was used by 103 (37.3%) children and bar soap by 220 (79.7%). Fifty-three (19.2%) participants used sunscreen daily. Perfume was used by 182 (65.9%) children, hair gel by 98 (35.5%), nail polish by 62 (22.4%), and some type of make-up by 71 (25.7%) - eyeshadow by 30 (10.8%), lipstick by 52 (18.8%), face powder and mascara by 13 (4.7%). Make-up use started at a median age of 4 years. Henna tattoo was done in eight children.

Conclusions: The children studied used unsuitable products for their skin, such as those intended for adults, used sunscreen inadequately, and started wearing make-up early, evidencing the need for medical orientation.

Objetivo:: Avaliar os hábitos de higiene e a frequência do uso de produtos de higiene pessoal, cosméticos e protetor solar nas crianças e adolescentes.

Métodos:: Estudo transversal com entrevistas para cuidadores sobre cuidados com a pele, por meio de perguntas fechadas. Incluídos pacientes de até 14 anos que consultavam nos ambulatórios pediátricos de um hospital terciário. Realizada estatística descritiva e aplicados os testes de Kruskal-Wallis e exato de Fisher para comparar os hábitos conforme a escolaridade materna.

Resultados:: Foram realizadas 276 entrevistas. A mediana de idade foi de 4 anos, sendo 150 (54,3%) crianças do sexo masculino. O número de banhos por dia foi de um em 143 (51,8%) casos e dois ou mais por parte de 128 (46,3%) indivíduos, com duração de até dez minutos em 132 (47,8%) dos participantes. O sabonete destinado a adultos era utilizado por 103 (37,3%) crianças e o sabonete em barra por 220 (79,7%) delas. Protetor solar era utilizado diariamente por 53 (19,2%) participantes. Perfume foi utilizado por 182 (65,9%) integrantes da amostra, gel de cabelo por 98 (35,5%), esmalte por 62 (22,4%) e algum tipo de maquiagem por 71 (25,7%) - sombra em 30 (10,8%), batom em 52 (18,8%), pó facial e rímel em 13 (4,7%). A mediana de idade de início do uso de maquiagem foi de 4 anos. Tatuagem de hena foi realizada em oito crianças.

Conclusões:: As crianças estudadas utilizavam produtos inadequados para a sua pele, como os destinados à pele do adulto, e faziam uso incorreto do protetor solar e uso precoce de maquiagem, mostrando a importância da orientação médica.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Distribution of sunscreen use according to maternal schooling.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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