title: Do people who apply sunscreens, re-apply them?
abstract: Little is known about Australians' practices regarding sunscreen re-application, yet it is routinely advised and has recently been shown to increase the protective efficacy of sunscreens. A baseline survey of sunscreen application and re-application behaviour was therefore conducted in a Queensland community using a standard self-administered questionnaire. Other sun protection methods were also assessed. Of a total of 669 adult respondents, 76% reported using sunscreen and of those, 61% reported re-applying sunscreen. Significantly more women (66%) than men (55%) reported re-applying sunscreen and re-application was inversely related to age (79% of those aged less than 45, 57% of those 45-59 years old and 46% of those over 60 years). Increased rates of re-application were reported during times of increased sun exposure, as well as by those with greater knowledge of the benefits of sunscreen re-application. A recent personal history of non-melanoma skin cancer did not lead to improved rates of sunscreen application, sunscreen re-application, or most forms of physical sun protection.
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology and Population Health Unit, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Herston, Australia.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pruim
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Green
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011793:Queensland; D011835:Radiation Protection; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D013473:Sunscreening Agents