Sunscreen use and sun exposure. Trends in a white population

Abstract

Four hundred eighty-nine patients were surveyed during the summer months to evaluate their sun-exposure habits and beliefs, and their use of sunscreens. Seventy-one percent had one or more hours of sun exposure on at least one day per week. Men had more sun exposure than women. Subjects 30 years old and younger spent more time in the sun than those older than 30 years. Subjects with skin types 1 and 2 were least frequently sun exposed and tended to use sunscreens most often. Overall, sunscreens were used by 41% of the subjects, one third of whom used them with the belief that tanning would be promoted. In a four-week follow-up evaluation, 342 patients were contacted by telephone. Knowledge of the sun protection factor and sun-exposure risks was improved, presumably by reading an informational pamphlet provided; but sunscreen use improved very little.

Could sunscreens increase melanoma risk?

“…A large proportion of adults in the United States report using sunscreens during recreation,11 and the American Medical Association has recommended that frequent use of sunscreens should become a standard procedure for children. 6 Although sunscreens, including PABA and its esters prevent sunburn,1 [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] there has never been any epidemiological or laboratory evidence that they prevent either melanoma or basal cell carcinoma in humans.…”

Melanoma and Skin Cancer Control: An International Perspective

“…Studies of various populations in a range of settings (eg, skin cancer screenings, beaches, clinics) note a rate of compliance ranging from 26% to 70% for sunscreen use, with generally higher sun protection practices among women. [30][31][32][33] A national overview from a random-digit-dial telephone survey of 2459 white American adults over 16 years of age found that less than 50% of all sunbathers use sunscreen, with compliance lowest in men and persons with lower education levels. [34] Furthermore, less than 50% of sunscreen users reported using the widely recommended SPF 15+, leaving only 25% of sunbathers overall who routinely used the appropriate sunscreen.…”

Sun Protection in Childhood

“…4,14,11 Ultraviolet A radiation (UVA, 320 to 400 nm), originally considered harmless, penetrates more deeply into the dermis, potentially causing connective tissue alteration and contributing to photoaging. UVA may enhance UVB erythema and increase the risk of UVB carcinogenesis.…”