Effects of UV photographs, photoaging information, and use of sunless tanning lotion on sun protection behaviors.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the efficacy of UV photographs and information about photoaging (eg, wrinkles and age spots) for increasing the sun protection intentions and behaviors of young adults and to determine whether any effects of this appearance-based intervention could be enhanced by providing a non-UV alternative for achieving a tan (ie, sunless tanning lotion).


METHODS
Randomized control trial with 1-month follow-up.


METHODS
Two universities in Southern California.


METHODS
A volunteer sample of 146 college students, 91.1% of whom completed the "surprise" 1-month follow-up.


METHODS
A UV facial photograph and a brief videotape describing the causes and consequences of photoaging. The study tested the effects of the photoaging information/UV photographic intervention only, the intervention plus use of sunless tanning lotion, and a control condition.


METHODS
Participants sun protection intentions as assessed immediately after the intervention and sun protection behaviors during the month after the intervention as assessed during a surprise telephone follow-up.


RESULTS
The intervention resulted in significantly stronger sun protection intentions (P<.001) and greater sun protection behaviors (P<.05) relative to controls. Furthermore, the group that also used sunless tanning lotion tended to engage in greater sun protection behaviors than the group that received the intervention alone (P<.08).


CONCLUSIONS
The UV photographic intervention holds promise as a cost-effective approach to motivate practices that may ultimately result in health benefits (ie, reduced skin cancer rates).
Mahler
Heike I M
HI
University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA. hmahler@ucsd.edu
Kulik
James A
JA
Harrell
Jody
J
Correa
Alma
A
Gibbons
Frederick X
FX
Gerrard
Meg
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010781:Photography; D012016:Reference Values; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000502:physiology; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects
D013473:Sunscreening Agents