Double exposure: natural and artificial ultraviolet radiation exposure in beachgoers.
BACKGROUND
Although the beach is a high-risk environment for ultraviolet light exposure and subsequent skin damage, little is known about beachgoer tanning habits outside the beach setting. Our purpose was to evaluate indoor tanning and additional, nonbeach sunlight exposure in a beachgoing population.


METHODS
We conducted an epidemiologic survey.


RESULTS
There was more use of indoor tanning salons among sunbathing beachgoers who applied little or no skin protection from the sun (50.8% [31 of 61 respondents]) compared with nonsunbathing beachgoers (22.7% [5 of 22 respondents]). In addition to increased use of tanning salons, we observed that poorly protected sunbathers tanned at locations other than the beach on a regular basis (50.8% [31 of 61 respondents]) more than nonsunbathers did (9.1% [2 of 22 respondents]).


CONCLUSIONS
Beachgoing sunbathers often used both natural sunlight and tanning beds, subjecting themselves to two forms of ultraviolet radiation exposure.
Ramirez
Mark A
MA
Department of Dermatology, Office of Biostatistics, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555-0783, USA.
Warthan
Molly M
MM
Uchida
Tatsuo
T
Wagner
Richard F
RF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001493:Bathing Beaches; D003043:Cocarcinogenesis; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006370:Heliotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012306:Risk; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013781:Texas; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*
D013473:Sunscreening Agents