For Skin Cancer Awareness Month, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has published new data regarding its Practice Safe Sun Survey. Alongside the results, the organization warns that misinformation is impacting skin cancer risk.
AAD attributes the misinformation spread to social media platforms like TikTok. They emphasized that many Americans don’t understand the scope of safe sun practice due to this. Additional key findings from the survey:
- Only about half of surveyed Americans use sunscreen regularly
- 1/3 have experienced a sunburn in the last 12 months
- While many participants gave themselves high sun safety grades, AAD gave about half a “C” or lower
- Gen Z scored poorly on AAD’s sun safety quiz
- More than 16 million adults have cut or ceased sunscreen use because of the internet
- More than one third of Gen Z Americans follow skincare advice from TikTok influencers
- 55% of participants think tanned skin looks healthier
- 52% think at least one tanning myth is true, with belief that “tanning is safe if you don’t burn” being the leading one
- Most participants expressed regret at not protecting their skin when they were younger
- Nearly one quarter lacked knowledge of sunscreen benefits past preventing burns
About the Author
Sign up for our eNewsletters
Get the latest news and updates