Patterns of Sunscreen Use on the Face and Other Exposed Skin among US Adults

Details

• Alternative Title:
  J Am Acad Dermatol
• Personal Author:
  Holman, Dawn M. ; Berkowitz, Zahava ; Guy, Gery P. ; Hawkins, Nikki A. ; Saraiya, Mona ; Watson, Meg
• Description:
  Background
  
  Sunscreen is a common form of sun protection, but little is known about patterns of use.
  
  Objective
  
  To assess patterns of sunscreen use on the face and other exposed skin among US adults.
  
  Methods
  
  Using cross-sectional data from the 2013 Summer ConsumerStyles survey (N= 4,033), we calculated descriptive statistics and adjusted risk ratios to identify characteristics associated with regular sunscreen use (always/most of the time when outside on a warm sunny day for 1+ hour).
  
  Results
  
  Few adults regularly used sunscreen on the face (men: 18.1%, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 15.8–20.6; women: 42.6%, 95% CI 39.5–46.7), other exposed skin (men: 19.9%, 95% CI 17.5–22.6; women: 34.4%, 95% CI 31.5–37.5), or both the face and other exposed skin (men: 14.3%, 95% CI: 12.3–16.6; women: 29.9%, 95% CI: 27.2–32.8). Regular use was associated with sun-sensitive skin, a household income ≥$60,000, and meeting aerobic activity guidelines (Ps < 0.05). Nearly 40% of users were unsure if their sunscreen provided broad spectrum protection.
  
  Limitations
  
  Reliance on self-report and lack of information on sunscreen reapplication or other sun-safety practices.
  
  Conclusion
  
  Sunscreen use is low, especially among certain demographic groups. These findings can inform sun-safety interventions and the interpretation of surveillance data on sunscreen use.
  
  
• Subjects:
  Adolescent Adult Aged Cross-Sectional Studies Face Female Humans Male Middle Aged Self Care Sunscreening Agents Surveys And Questionnaires United States Young Adult

  More +
• Keywords:
  Broad Spectrum Skin Cancer Prevention Sun Protection Sun Protection Factor Sun Safety Sunscreen
• Source:
  J Am Acad Dermatol. 73(1):83-92.e1
• Pubmed ID:
  26002066
• Pubmed Central ID:
  PMC4475428
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Funding:
  CC999999/Intramural CDC HHSUnited States/
• Volume:
  73
• Issue:
  1
• Collection(s):
  CDC Public Access
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:8cde1fe575f5e3b560fdad279331bbb0ef89b337388f84f01b6e0eec3f26392a
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/31725/cdc_31725_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 561.58 KB ]