Jacquelyn Dang1, Jeave Reserva2, Eleanor Tung-Hahn2, Brooke Vasicek2, Cindy Krol2, William Adams3, Rebecca Tung4, Murad Alam5. 1. Division of Dermatology, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA. jacquelyntdang@gmail.com. 2. Division of Dermatology, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA. 3. Department of Public Health Sciences, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, USA. 4. Florida Dermatology and Skin Cancer Centers, Winter Haven, FL, USA. 5. Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Data on how patients with a history of skin cancer apply sunscreen are lacking. OBJECTIVE: To characterize (1) gender differences in sunscreen application technique (quantity used, anatomic site coverage, and time allocated) and (2) differences in sunscreen application to unaffected skin versus previous skin cancer sites. METHODS: Subjects with a history of skin cancer were asked to apply sunscreen to their head as they normally would. The amount of sunscreen used and application time were recorded. Before and after photos were taken. Using Wood's lamp lighting, an anatomic site coverage score was rated on an ordinal scale (1 = 0-25%, 2 = 26-50%, 3 = 51-75%, 4 = 76-100% coverage). RESULTS: Males used 530 mg more sunscreen (p < 0.001) and applied approximately 5 mg/cm2 of sunscreen versus women, who applied 2 mg/cm2. The average coverage score was 3.27. Males were 7.61 times more likely to adequately apply sunscreen to the ears (p = 0.001). No differences were noted in application times. Coverage scores were similar for unaffected skin and previous skin cancer sites. LIMITATIONS: Observations in a controlled setting may not reflect usual sunscreen application practices. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, skin cancer survivors of both genders effectively applied sunscreen in line with recommended quantity guidelines, but men were significantly better at protecting their ears.
BACKGROUND: Data on how patients with a history of skin cancer apply sunscreen are lacking. OBJECTIVE: To characterize (1) gender differences in sunscreen application technique (quantity used, anatomic site coverage, and time allocated) and (2) differences in sunscreen application to unaffected skin versus previous skin cancer sites. METHODS: Subjects with a history of skin cancer were asked to apply sunscreen to their head as they normally would. The amount of sunscreen used and application time were recorded. Before and after photos were taken. Using Wood's lamp lighting, an anatomic site coverage score was rated on an ordinal scale (1 = 0-25%, 2 = 26-50%, 3 = 51-75%, 4 = 76-100% coverage). RESULTS: Males used 530 mg more sunscreen (p < 0.001) and applied approximately 5 mg/cm2 of sunscreen versus women, who applied 2 mg/cm2. The average coverage score was 3.27. Males were 7.61 times more likely to adequately apply sunscreen to the ears (p = 0.001). No differences were noted in application times. Coverage scores were similar for unaffected skin and previous skin cancer sites. LIMITATIONS: Observations in a controlled setting may not reflect usual sunscreen application practices. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, skin cancer survivors of both genders effectively applied sunscreen in line with recommended quantity guidelines, but men were significantly better at protecting their ears.
Entities:
Keywords:
Gender differences; Photoprotection; SPF; Skin cancer survivor; Sun protection; Sunscreen application