title: Are sunscreens luxury products?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The incidence of skin cancers is rapidly increasing in Western countries. One of the main sun-protection measures advocated is application of sunscreen. Some studies report a failure to comply with sunscreen application guidance. One explanation is their cost.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the true cost of sunscreen in two situations: a 4-member family spending 1 week at the beach and a transplant patient respecting all the sun protection recommendations.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed an analysis of prices of sunscreens sold via Internet drugstores in Europe and North America. Standard sunscreen application recommendations were followed. We tested the recommended amount of sunscreen to be applied (ie, 2 mg/cm(2)).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six hundred seven sunscreens from 17 drugstores in 7 countries were evaluated. Median price of sunscreen was $1.7 US per 10 grams. The price decreased with the size of the bottle. The median price for a family varied from $178.2 per week to $238.4 per week. The price decreased by 33% if the family wore UV-protective T-shirts and by 41% if large-volume bottles were used. The median price for a transplant patient varied from $245.3 per year to $292.3 per year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anti-UVA activity and topical properties were not evaluated. We tested the recommended amount (2 mg/cm(2)) rather than the amount actually used (1 mg/cm(2)).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Under acute sun exposure conditions (a week at the beach), the cost of sun protection appears acceptable if sun protective clothing is worn and large-format bottles and low-cost sunscreens are used. Conversely, in a sun-sensitive population requiring year-round protection, the annual budget is relatively high and patients may require financial assistance to be compliant with sun protection guidelines.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Ambroise Paré University Hospital, University of Versailles-Saint Quentin en Yvelines, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Boulogne-Billancourt, France; Research Unit EA 4339 "Skin, cancer, and environment", Ambroise Paré University Hospital, University of Versailles-Saint Quentin en Yvelines, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Boulogne-Billancourt, France. Electronic address: emmanuel.mahe@apr.aphp.fr.
authors: Emmanuel
authors: E
authors: Mahé
authors: Department of Public Health, Ambroise Paré University Hospital, University of Versailles-Saint Quentin en Yvelines, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Boulogne-Billancourt, France; Research Unit EA 4339 "Skin, cancer, and environment", Ambroise Paré University Hospital, University of Versailles-Saint Quentin en Yvelines, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Boulogne-Billancourt, France.
authors: Alain
authors: A
authors: Beauchet
authors: Research Unit EA 4339 "Skin, cancer, and environment", Ambroise Paré University Hospital, University of Versailles-Saint Quentin en Yvelines, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Boulogne-Billancourt, France.
authors: Marie-Florence
authors: MF
authors: de Maleissye
authors: Department of Dermatology, Ambroise Paré University Hospital, University of Versailles-Saint Quentin en Yvelines, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Boulogne-Billancourt, France; Research Unit EA 4339 "Skin, cancer, and environment", Ambroise Paré University Hospital, University of Versailles-Saint Quentin en Yvelines, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Boulogne-Billancourt, France.
authors: Philippe
authors: P
authors: Saiag
mesh_terms: D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009656:North America; D011481:Protective Clothing; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics*
chemical_list: D013473:Sunscreening Agents