Fewer U.S. Teens Using Sunscreen

The number of U.S. teens using sunscreen dropped nearly 12 percent in the last decade, a new report shows.

During that same time period, the number of teens using INDOOR TANNING beds barely decreased. 

Both indoor tanning and failure to use sunscreen increase the risk of skin cancers, including deadly melanomas, the researchers noted.

Unfortunately, researchers found a decrease in the overall percentage of teens who reported wearing sunscreen, from 67.7 percent in 2001 to 56.1 percent in 2011.

Using sun-protective BEHAVIORS like applying sunscreen and avoiding intentional exposure to tanning devices will be key [to lowering cancer risk].

Use of INDOOR TANNING devices by white girls decreased only slightly, from 37 percent in 2009 to 29 percent in 2011.

The reasons for the decreased use of sunscreen among teens aren't clear, The research team thinks future research should focus on finding out why.

High school years are important years that can impact the future. High school students are starting to make decisions for themselves. This research and other research suggest that adolescents CONTINUE to put themselves at risk.

The report was published in the August issue of Preventing Chronic Disease, a publication of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Dermatologists at North Shore-LIJ Health System in Manhasset, N.Y., said they were surprised at the drop in sunscreen use despite all the warnings about UV exposure leading to skin cancer.

It's still in vogue to have that suntanned color.

Dermatologists think that the message that sun exposure can lead to skin cancer is still not getting through, especially to young girls. No matter how hard we've been trying to get that message out, we need to keep at it and work harder. The bottom line is that skin cancer is largely PREVENTABLE.

The best sunscreens are those that protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Both are involved in skin cancer.

An effective sunscreen should contain a physical sunscreen such as zinc or titanium dioxide and a chemical sunscreen, she said. "The best sunscreen is one that contains zinc, because it covers both UVA and UVB rays.

The most important thing to remember about sunscreen is that it doesn't last very long. Sunscreen needs to be APPLIED every two hours.

In addition, it takes a lot of sunscreen to be fully protected. The average tube of sunscreen is usually only four to six ounces -- that should last maybe a day at the beach, but for a lot of PEOPLE it lasts the entire season. We are just not using enough.

For the study, researchers used the Youth Risk BEHAVIOR Surveillance System to collect data on the use of sunscreen and tanning devices from a sample of U.S. high school students.

SOURCES: Corey Basch, Ed.D., M.P.H., associate professor, department of public health, William Paterson University, Wayne, N.J.; Jeanine Daly, M.D., dermatologist, North Shore-LIJ Health System, Manhasset, N.Y.; August 2014 PREVENTING Chronic Disease