The sunless study: a beach randomized trial of a skin cancer prevention intervention promoting sunless tanning.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the impact of a skin cancer prevention intervention that promoted sunless tanning as a substitute for sunbathing.


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
Public beaches in Massachusetts.


METHODS
Women (N = 250) were recruited to participate in the study during their visit to a public beach. Intervention The intervention included motivational messages to use sunless tanning as an alternative to UV tanning, instructions for proper use of sunless tanning products, attractive images of women with sunless tans, a free trial of a sunless tanning product, skin cancer education, and UV imaging. The control participants completed surveys.


METHODS
The primary outcome was sunbathing 2 months and 1 year after the intervention. Secondary outcomes included sunburns, sun protection use, and sunless tanning.


RESULTS
At 2 months, intervention participants reduced their sunbathing significantly more than did controls and reported significantly fewer sunburns and greater use of protective clothing. At 1 year, intervention participants reported significant decreases in sunbathing and increases in sunless tanning relative to control participants but no differences in the other outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
This intervention, which promoted sunless tanning as an alternative to UV tanning, had a short-term effect on sunbathing, sunburns, and use of protective clothing and a longer-term effect on sunbathing and sunless tanning.


BACKGROUND
clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00403377.
Pagoto
Sherry L
SL
Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, 01655, USA. Sherry.pagoto@umassmed.edu
Schneider
Kristin L
KL
Oleski
Jessica
J
Bodenlos
Jamie S
JS
Ma
Yunsheng
Y
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D001493:Bathing Beaches / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008404:Massachusetts; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods; D011481:Protective Clothing; D012016:Reference Values; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055108:Sunbathing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013471:Sunburn / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D055107:Suntan; D055815:Young Adult
D003358:Cosmetics; D013473:Sunscreening Agents