Dr Tan says parents should help babies strengthen their skin barrier through good skincare routine. Photo: Freepik
A typical baby arrival checklist would usually include clothes, accessories, furniture and other items that can help new parents manage their new bundle of joy. Infant skincare, however, doesn't usually come up tops on that list, and for paediatric dermatologist Dr Jenny Tan Yen Ling, this oversight may lead to uncomfortable, fussy infants. Far from cosmetics, the skin (which is human beings' largest organ) plays the role of a protective barrier that regulates body temperature and facilitates sensation. It protects the body from external threats like microorganisms, dehydration and UV radiation.
Dr Tan says she sees two kinds of parents in her practice. Some, she says, are extremely vigilant about skincare, ingredients, hygiene and skin sensitivity. "On the other end of the spectrum are parents who take infant skincare lightly because they say babies are already born with good skin, so there is nothing more to do," she says. "I think it's the parents' responsibility to help babies strengthen their skin barrier early through good skincare routine so they get a good head start."
