These directions are very important! Each step has its value.
Directions for using Tender Defender
- First, gently cleanse. Babies with very sensitive skin or sudden diaper rash that may be caused by environmental factors (diapers or wipes themselves) may do best with just a warm, wet washcloth.
- Apply a small amount of Tender Defender.
- Gently massage the Tender Defender into the entire affected area. For more serious rashes, especially those with significant fungal infection, the affected area may extend to the legs and torso. Use your hands to inspect the skin gently and reassure your baby that you love him and are taking the best care of him that you can!
- Completely air dry. It is important to provide the skin with as much air as possible! Your pediatrician may recommend diaper-free times each day. During these times, the baby’s skin is getting much-needed exposure to fresh air. You can give a dose of that fresh air between diaper changes! This is also important because leaving any moisture behind may feed the microbes we are trying to wipe out! And using plant-based powders to dry the area provides the microbes with yummy starches to eat. Air dry! Some parents use hair dryers that have a COLD setting. Never use hot air to dry baby’s skin!!
- Apply your favorite barrier cream, ointment, or paste. This step seals in the now-aired skin with a nutritive base coat and keeps the diaper environment from doing too much further damage to the skin. When using cloth diapers, you may want to use liners to protect the cloth from ointment buildup until the rash clears. We encourage you to try natural products that are free from petrolatum, mineral oils, boric acid, “fragrance” (which can mean a whole host of things!), or non-purified lanolin. When in doubt, if you can’t identify the first four or five ingredients as safe, look it up on EWG’s Skin Deep Diaper Cream database.
We recommend that you use Tender Defender at least twice a day to support skin’s good health when there is no rash. Use it at every other diaper change (or more) when there is an active rash. Be aware that the gingerols increase blood flow to the tissue, so your baby may experience a warming sensation, especially if his rash is severe. If you are worried about a potential negative reaction, see your pediatrician immediately.
Cautions: Do not use this product if your baby has any known allergies to any of its ingredients. Always consult a pediatrician before using any product on broken skin. For external use only. Keep out of reach of children. Never use hot air to dry baby’s tender skin. If condition worsens, discontinue use and contact physician immediately.
