Europeans continue to tan despite scientists’ warnings

Despite decades of repeated warnings by scientists about cancer and skin aging due to prolonged exposure to the sun, a major survey in 17 countries shows that myths about “healthy” tanning hold up well in Europe.

Eight out of ten Europeans find a tan attractive and nearly as many (73%) believe that a tan in itself is a sign of health. 59% of Europeans cannot imagine coming home from vacation without a tan.

Among the persistent myths are the notion that you don’t need sunscreen when the sky is cloudy and that you don’t need sunscreen when you’re already tanned. Non-Europeans, however, are less enthusiastic about tanning than Europeans, with 67% finding it attractive and 59% considering it healthy.

The sample survey, presented at the 31st Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV), was carried out by La Roche-Posay Laboratoires and the research company IPSOS on around 17,000 people in various European countries (Britain, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Russia etc.), South America, Africa, Asia and Oceania.

Although 92% of Europeans are aware of skin aging due to the sun (vs. 86% of non-Europeans), 84% admit that they do not protect themselves throughout the year (vs. 79% outside Europe). One in four Europeans (24%, compared to 21% outside Europe) consider it safe to go outside without sun protection when tanned.

Only 56% of Europeans (versus 64% of non-Europeans) know that sun protection is also useful on cloudy days. Only 10% of Europeans – one in ten – protect themselves from the sun very often throughout the year, by applying sunscreen, staying in the shade, wearing a hat or appropriate clothing, etc.

62% of Europeans and 52% of non-Europeans regularly wear sunscreen, but 10% of Europeans never do, compared to 16% of non-Europeans. Among those who use sunscreen, one in three (34%, compared to 49% outside Europe) only applies it once a day. Only one in four (24%) reapply sunscreen every two hours.

“The research shows how entrenched the ‘healthy’ tan myth is even in those who have already suffered sun damage or developed skin cancer. The public needs to understand the need to protect their skin all year round, even if the weather is cloudy. Sunscreen must be reapplied every two hours to ensure adequate protection,” said lead researcher Dermatology Professor Thierry Passeron of the University Hospital of Nice and the University of Côte d’Azur.

According to the most recent estimates, about 1.7% of adults in Europe or 7.3 million people have skin cancer. Ultraviolet (UV) solar radiation is also responsible for over 80% of the visible signs of photoaging, such as wrinkles and lines.

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