International Journal of Dermatology & Cosmetic Sciences

THE SUN SCREEN USE AND SUN PROTECTION BEHAVIOR AMONG YOUNG FEMALES IN MAKKAH CITY, SAUDI ARABIA

Ahmad Alliali1, SalwaBardisi2, Tahani Magliah3

tahanimagliah@yahoo.com

Sun screen, Tanning, Skin cancer; Awareness; Adolescents; Females.

Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in childhood and adolescence contributes to the risk of skin cancers later in life. Hence, primary prevention of skin cancer, by modification of risky UVR exposure behaviors, represents an important public health priority. To assess the awareness about skin cancer and side effects of excessive use of sun screens among Saudi adolescent females. A cross sectional study was done among 250 Saudi females, their ages ranged from 17 to 26 year old. They all used the sun screen as a way of protection from sun light. No history for any skin disease was reported. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed among them. Two hundred fifty Saudi female were involved in the study. Among them, 61 (32.4%) girls were using the sun screens every time they went out. One hundred fifty three (61.2%) girls had sun burns while exposure to sun light before. 139 (90.8%) girls noticed decreased sun burns after using the sun screens whereas the other 14 (9.1%) girls did not noticed any change in sun burns (P=0.00026). Among the 250 girls used the sun screen as a protective way, 46 (18.4%) girls had noticed skin changes after using the sun screen (p=0.0038); 32 (69.5%) girls had noticed changing in color (tanning), 14 (30.4%) girls had noticed changes in consistency (more friable skin). 64 (25.6) girls were aware that excessive unprotected sun exposure causes wrinkles, premature aging and possible skin cancer in some cases. Using sun screens as a protective way from sun light has a benefit in decreasing the severity and frequency of sun burns. Some of unwanted skin changes have appeared as a result of excessive use, although not statistically significant. We recommend sun burns for people who like tanning, but must be careful of using sun screens excessively.