Effects of UV Photographs, Photoaging Information, and Use of Sunless Tanning Lotion on Sun Protection Behaviors

Abstract

Objectives: 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 appearancebased intervention could be enhanced by providing a non-UV alternative for achieving a tan (ie, sunless tanning lotion).Design: Randomized control trial with 1-month followup.Setting: Two universities in Southern California.Participants: A volunteer sample of 146 college students, 91.1% of whom completed the "surprise" 1-month follow-up.Intervention: 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.Main Outcome Measures: 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 (PϽ.001) and greater sun protection behaviors (PϽ.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 (PϽ.08). Conclusion: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).

Perceived Risk of Sunless Tanning Product Use and Its Relationship to Body Satisfaction

“…Several individuals have remarked that tans achieved through sunless tanning products do not look natural (Mahler et al, 2005). Oftentimes these products turn the skin orange, leaving a "streaked" appearance.…”

“…For the past several decades, researchers across disciplines have sought to understand the mechanisms underlying sun exposure and sun-protection behaviors (Mahler et al, 2005). However, little is known about tanning product consumption in the United States.…”

Young Australian adults’ reactions to viewing personalised UV photoaged photographs

“…18,[20][21] Indeed, a number of studies, predominantly by Mahler et al, have demonstrated that UV photoaged photographs are effective in promoting skinprotective practices. 5,[22][23][24][25][26][27] Such studies suggest that appearance-based UV photoaged photographic interventions have the potential to motivate the kinds of skin-protective practices that ultimately will produce the desired health benefit of a reduction in skin cancer rates.…”

“…While researchers have predominantly used quantitative experimental methodologies (e.g., randomised 22,24,26 /nonrandomised 23,27 control designs and self-report measures) to evaluate sun-tanning intentions and skin-protective behaviours of participants' post viewing their UV photoaged image, no studies (as far as the authors are aware) have explored the impact of UV photoaged photography on behaviour from a qualitative perspective. Hence, it is posited that this qualitative study will enrich the existing quantitative findings by focusing explicitly on people's perception of self within their social context.…”

The impact of ultraviolet photography on the sun safety awareness and behavior of skiers and snowboarders

“…For example, Gibbons and Mahler et al describe a reduction in college students' intention to tan, tanning behavior, and measured skin tan (using a calorimeter) when UV photography was employed. [8,13,16] Most other research has identified that highlighting the connection between UV exposure and its effect on photoaging has given other (often younger) populations another reason to protect themselves from the sun. [10-14, 16, 17] Taken as a whole, these findings suggest that a personalized, interactive approach, with emphasis on high-risk populations, may be an efficacious and valuable approach to skin cancer prevention and awareness in high risk groups.…”