ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To establish the effect of sunless tanning products on tanning behaviors and to determine characteristics of sunless tanning product users. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey study conducted between May 30, 2007, and December 4, 2007. SETTING: The Emory University campus and surrounding locations in Atlanta, Georgia. PARTICIPANTS: Four hundred fifteen community and university-affiliated women. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported use of sunless tanning products and UV radiation tanning methods. RESULTS: Forty-eight percent of participants had used sunless tanning products, 70.6% had tanned in the sun, and 26.0% had used tanning beds at least once in the past year. Most participants (92.7%) believed that tanned skin is more attractive than untanned skin, and 79.2% reported feeling better about themselves when tan. Many sunless tanning product users reported decreased frequency of tanning in the sun (36.8%) or in tanning beds (38%) because of product use. Frequent users were more likely to have decreased their UV radiation exposure. Lighter complexion, frequent use of UV radiation tanning methods, feeling better about oneself when tan, and having a history of skin cancer were independently associated with sunless tanning product use. CONCLUSIONS: The desire for tanned skin remains strong despite growing awareness of the dangers of UV radiation exposure. In some women, sunless tanning product use is associated with decreased UV radiation tanning frequency, especially in women who use them repeatedly. Improvements in the appearance of sunless tanning product tans may allow wider acceptance by the public and further decreases in UV radiation tanning practices.
Subject(s)
Cosmetics/administration & dosage , Health Behavior , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Sunbathing/psychology , Administration, Topical , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Georgia , Humans , Logistic Models , Middle Aged , Self Report , Suntan , Ultraviolet Rays/adverse effects , Young AdultABSTRACT
Tanning device usage is prevalent among adolescents. Few studies have assessed the role of parental influence on children's use of indoor tanning facilities. Our objective was to determine if children's tanning device usage is affected by parental knowledge of risks of indoor tanning or by parental tanning practices. A survey was administered to 160 parents of 328 children at a general pediatrics clinic and 204 parents of 367 children at a pediatric dermatology clinic (parents n=364, children n=695). Over half of all parents and 17% of all teenagers queried had previously used tanning devices. The level of parental knowledge did not predict tanning device usage by their children. However, parental tanning device usage was associated with increased usage by children (p<0.05). Children began using tanning devices on average more than 4 years earlier than their parents. Most parents (69%) never wanted their children to use tanning devices, but only 15% of parents had discussed them with their children. Therefore, health providers can provide an important service by initiating discussions about tanning devices. Additional measures, including legislation requiring parental consent for indoor tanning, are needed to reduce tanning device usage by minors.
Subject(s)
Beauty Culture , Health Behavior , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Parents , Ultraviolet Rays/adverse effects , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Skin Neoplasms/prevention & control , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends exposure limits for tanning bed use. Tanning patrons may not be following these recommendations and may be overexposed to damaging ultraviolet radiation (UV). OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to assess tanning patrons' adherence to FDA-recommended exposure limits and to measure the amount of UVA and UVB radiation emitted by tanning beds. METHODS: A community-based survey was administered during routine state inspections of North Carolina tanning facilities (n = 50). At each facility, patron records were randomly selected (n = 483) for a survey of exposure records, and UVA and UVB outputs were measured for each tanning bed. RESULTS: The recommended limits were exceeded by 95% of patrons, and 33% of patrons began tanning at the maximum doses recommended for maintenance tanning. Average tanning bed output was 192.1 W/m(2) UVA and 0.35 W/m(2) erythemally weighted UVB. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions for tanning bed operators and patrons are needed to increase compliance with federally recommended exposure limits.
