To coincide with launch, the Academy released results of a new survey that showed that a large percentage of white teenage girls and young women are still using tanning beds or intentionally tanning outdoors, The online survey, which had responses from more than 3,800 white, non-Hispanic females ages 14 to 22 on their tanning knowledge, attitudes and behavior, revealed the following:

• 81% of all respondents reported that they had tanned outdoors either frequently or occasionally in the past year
• 32% of respondents had used a tanning bed in the past year
• Of those respondents who had used a tanning bed in the past year, 25% percent used a tanning bed at least weekly, on average

The survey results also showed there were significant differences by age in respondents who reported using indoor tanning beds: 18 to 22 year olds were almost twice as likely to have indoor tanned (40 percent) when compared to 14 to 17 year olds (22 percent).

“Our survey underscores the importance of educating young women about the very real risks of tanning, as melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer – is increasing faster in females 15 to 29 years old than in males of the same age group,” said dermatologist Ronald L. Moy, MD, FAAD, president of the Academy.

“Exposure to UV radiation is the leading risk factor for skin cancer, yet – despite this knowledge – droves of teens and young women are flocking to tanning bed facilities and beaches or pools to tan every year,” added Dr. Moy.

The Academy reports that at current rates, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. About 75 percent of skin cancer deaths are from melanoma.

Previous studies have shown that despite the increased level of risk, family members of patients with melanoma “engage in relatively low levels of sun protection and high levels of sun exposure.”

New research published in BMC Public Health aimed to evaluate a broad range of demographic, medical, psychological, knowledge, and social influence correlates of sun protection and sunbathing practices among first-degree relatives of melanoma patients.

The study collected data from 545 relatives of melanoma patients, including their age, sex, race/ethnicity, level of education, marital status and their relation to the patient with melanoma (sibling, parent or offspring).

Participants who reported higher levels of sunbathing were younger, more likely to be female and perceived more benefits of sunbathing, while relatives who reported higher sun protection had a higher education level, greater concerns about photo-aging and greater sun protection norms.

The study suggested that interventions to improve sun protection might be best targeted to younger, female relatives of melanoma patients by emphasizing the aging effects of sunbathing on the skin.

The full study, “Sun protection and sunbathing practices among at-risk family members of patients with melanoma,” is available at the BMC Public Health website.

Employees at tanning parlors offered misleading and even dangerous advice such as tanning every day if desired, tanning for extended periods of time, and tanning in a bed to get a healthy dose of Vitamin D.

We like to tell people that pale is the new tan!  If you’re looking for health advice regarding the safety of tanning and sun exposure, ask a dermatologist.