A recent Yahoo News/YouGov poll has unveiled a startling trend: over 30% of U.S. adults never use sunscreen. This revelation comes despite 80% of respondents acknowledging the importance of protecting their skin from the sun. The survey, conducted from May 10 to 13 with 1,794 U.S. adults, highlights a significant gap between awareness and action in sun protection habits.
Dermatologists surprised by findings
Dr. Vicky Zhen Ren, an assistant professor of dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine, expressed her surprise at the poll results. “I’m surprised that almost 1 out of 5 people think it’s not important to protect their skin from the sun,” Dr. Ren told Yahoo Life. She noted that even those who don’t use sunscreen should understand its importance, akin to the general knowledge about healthy eating and regular exercise.
The risk of not using sunscreen
The poll revealed that 33% of adults never use sunscreen, with a notable gender disparity: 42% of men versus 25% of women. Additionally, 29% use sunscreen less than a few times a month, and only 12% incorporate it into their daily routine. This lack of regular sun protection poses serious health risks.
Dr. Julia Tzu, founder and director of Wall Street Dermatology, emphasized the dangers of UV radiation, which can cause premature aging and skin cancer. “When applied properly, sunscreen reduces the amount of UV radiation that we receive from the sun,” Dr. Tzu explained.
Making sunscreen a daily habit
Experts suggest integrating sunscreen application into daily routines to ensure consistent use. Dr. Ren and Dr. Tzu recommend keeping sunscreen in visible and accessible places, such as on bathroom counters or desks, to serve as daily reminders. They also advise informing family and friends about sunscreen goals for accountability and mutual encouragement.
While traditional sunscreen offers better protection than SPF-infused makeup, some protection is better than none. Using products like CC creams with SPF can be a practical compromise, though dermatologists recommend choosing sunscreens that are sheer and moisturizing to improve comfort and compliance.
Despite its benefits, sunscreen efficacy diminishes over time, especially with exposure to water and sweat. The poll found that nearly 30% of adults rarely or never reapply sunscreen every two hours when outdoors. Dr. Ren underscored the need for frequent reapplication, particularly during activities involving water or heavy sweating.
Sunburns: A common and harmful occurrence
The survey highlighted that 80% of adults have experienced at least one sunburn, with 64% having multiple incidents. Dr. Ren warned that sunburns and tanning, whether indoors or outdoors, cause DNA damage in skin cells, significantly increasing the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.
Although a significant majority (83%) recognize the importance of sun protection, many fail to wear sunscreen daily. Dr. Tzu attributes this disconnect to the lack of immediate consequences and the convenience of skipping sunscreen. She compared it to the widespread consumption of processed foods despite known health risks.
Dr. Ren added that barriers such as forgetfulness, inconvenience, and discomfort contribute to the low usage rates. Sometimes, a personal or family diagnosis of skin cancer is necessary to prompt changes in sun protection behavior.
The findings of this poll underscore the need for increased public awareness and education on the importance of daily sunscreen use and proper application techniques to reduce the risk of skin cancer and other sun-related skin damage.