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French teenagers and artificial tanning
Author(s) -
Tella E.,
Beauchet A.,
Vouldoukis I.,
Séi J.F.,
Beaulieu P.,
Sigal M.L.,
Mahé E.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of the european academy of dermatology and venereology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.655
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1468-3083
pISSN - 0926-9959
DOI - 10.1111/jdv.12015
Subject(s) - medicine , sun protection factor , pill , phototype , sun protection , sunburn , sun exposure , environmental health , population , dermatology , pharmacology
Background  Exposure to solar and artificial ultraviolet (UV) radiations is a major risk factor for skin cancers. France has enacted one of the strictest laws that, notably, restrict tanning‐bed access to adults ≥18 years old. Objective  We evaluated artificial tanning behaviours of French teenagers (11–17 years old): sunless‐tanning products, sunlamps and artificial tanning beds. Methods  An anonymous questionnaire evaluating sunburn history, skin phototype, behaviours with sunless‐tanning products and indoor tanning, and parents’ behaviours was distributed to students enrolled in two middle and high schools in Antony, a typical city of the middle class French population, located in the Paris suburbs. Results  Among 713 teenagers (mean age: 13.5 years: male/female: 1.1) responding, more than half declared that it was important to be tanned during the summer, 1% reported having already used tanning pills, 9.9% tanning creams and 1.4% indoor tanning. Female teenagers significantly more frequently resorted to indoor tanning ( P  = 0.02), cited the importance of being tanned all year long ( P  < 0.0001), used tanning pills ( P  < 0.0001) or tanning creams ( P  < 0.006), and their parents relied on indoor tanning ( P  < 0.0001). Profiles of tanning‐pill and ‐cream users were similar. Mean ages for the two groups were comparable. Conclusion  French regulations for indoor tanning seem quite effective. Our analyses revealed a typical teenager profile with sun‐exposure risk behaviours, for example, indoor tanning, and use of tanning pills or creams. They could be a selective target for sun‐protection information campaigns.

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