Premium
Decrease in artificial tanning by French teenagers: 2011‐2016
Author(s) -
Say Matthieu,
Beauchet Alain,
Vouldoukis Ioannis,
Beauchet Pascale,
Boudet Monique,
Tella Emilie,
Mahé Emmanuel
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
photodermatology, photoimmunology and photomedicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.736
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1600-0781
pISSN - 0905-4383
DOI - 10.1111/phpp.12380
Subject(s) - sunburn , sun protection factor , medicine , sun protection , sun exposure , ultraviolet radiation , incidence (geometry) , demography , environmental health , toxicology , dermatology , chemistry , sociology , radiochemistry , biology , physics , optics
Summary Background The major risk factor for skin cancers is exposure to solar and artificial ultraviolet radiation, in particular during childhood and adolescence. In France, a law was restricted for tanning‐bed access to adults (≥18 years) since 1997. Objective To evaluate teenagers’ artificial tanning behaviour in 2016 and to compare results with those obtained in a similar survey performed in 2011. Methods The SOLADO 2011 and 2016 surveys were conducted in a general school in Antony and a technical school in Fontenay‐aux‐Roses (Paris suburb). Results In 2016, 630 teenagers (mean age: 14.2 ± 1.9 y: Males/Females: 301/329) completed the questionnaire, 1.3% of teenagers reported using tanning beds, 1.1% tanning pills and 8.9% tanning creams. Between 2011 and 2016, the use of tanning beds decreased from 1.4% to 0.7% in Antony ( P = .26) and from 9.5% to 4.8% in Fontenay‐aux‐Roses ( P = .01), and the use of tanning creams from 39.8% to 17.6% in Fontenay‐aux‐Rose ( P = .0007). The incidence of sunburn decreased from 60.5% to 54.0% in Antony ( P = .02) and from 55.4% to 42.4% in Fontenay‐aux‐Roses ( P = .05). Conclusion As compared to 2011, teenagers used artificial tanning methods less frequently in 2016. In particular, they used tanning beds less frequently, suggesting that the new stricter legislation has been effective.