With temps tipping into the triple digits, experts say it is vital to make sure you are being safe and protecting your skin from any damage it may endure from the sun. One thing that seems easy enough is putting on sunscreen.
Still, a new study has found that more than 1 in 10 Americans say they don’t wear sunscreen at all and 3 in 10 rarely use it.
The study comes from Advanced Dermatology and also found that 34% of Americans rarely or never put on sunscreen when they go outside, and 52% said they only wear it while doing certain activities on sunny days.
While a surprising amount of Americans shared that they don’t wear any type of protection in the sun, 34% of Americans have reported being sunburnt throughout the last year.
Most people reported being sunburnt in the same spot, with 54% of respondents reporting getting burnt on their shoulders and back.
The study shows the seriousness of protecting your skin from damage from the sun, including wrinkles, brown spots, sunburns, and an increased risk of skin cancer.
Along with those who ignore sunscreen, the study also found that many don’t think to get checked for skin cancer, with 72% of respondents saying a doctor has never seen them for it.
There also seems to be some confusion between the role of sunscreen and sunblock, with 68% reporting they do not know the difference.
But whether or not people wear anything depends somewhat on gender, with 39% of men saying they rarely or never use sunscreen, compared to 28% of women. The study also found that the number one spot women put sunscreen is their face, with 44% of women reporting doing so, but only 15% of men.
However, the survey did find that there is a concern about getting skin cancer, as 54% of Americans shared it is a worry they have. But 87% of those concerned shared they don’t get annual skin cancer screenings.
The study recommended that those concerned about skin spots should contact a dermatologist and take precautions to keep their skin safe.
The study was conducted in June 2022 and surveyed 1,108 Americans, with the average age of respondents being 36.
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