Assessing the Current Market of Sunscreen: A Cross-Sectional Study of Sunscreen Availability in Three Metropolitan Counties in the United States

Sunscreen use is recommended for the prevention of sunburn and skin cancer. Little is known regarding sunscreen availability in high versus low income communities. We analyzed sunscreen availability in three large metropolitan counties to determine the relationship between availability and community...

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Main Authors: Kyle T. Amber, Romi Bloom, Patrick Staropoli, Sonam Dhiman, Shasa Hu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2014-01-01
Series:Journal of Skin Cancer
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/285357
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author Kyle T. Amber
Romi Bloom
Patrick Staropoli
Sonam Dhiman
Shasa Hu
author_facet Kyle T. Amber
Romi Bloom
Patrick Staropoli
Sonam Dhiman
Shasa Hu
author_sort Kyle T. Amber
collection DOAJ
description Sunscreen use is recommended for the prevention of sunburn and skin cancer. Little is known regarding sunscreen availability in high versus low income communities. We analyzed sunscreen availability in three large metropolitan counties to determine the relationship between availability and community demographics. We included sun care products in all pharmacies and supermarkets open as of July 2013 in representative high and low income zip codes in Cook County, Illinois, Miami-Dade County, Florida, and San Diego County, California. We recorded the percentage of tanning oil, sunscreens with a sun protection factor (SPF) < 15, SPF > 15, physical sunscreens, spray sunscreens, mean price per ounce (PPO), and mean SPF. Of the total products assessed, 11.0% were tanning oils, with physical sunscreens accounting for only 3.4% of the available sunscreens and 46.2% of sunscreens being spray-on. A comparison between higher and lower income zip codes demonstrated a significantly increased percentage of sunscreens with SPF < 15 in high income zip codes. Lower income zip codes had higher percentages of sunscreens with SPF > 15 and higher PPO, even when taking into account SPF. Further studies of sunscreen usage patterns in different populations must take into account sunscreen availability and price, as these significantly differ based on the community demographic.
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spelling doaj-art-26e73acf8bef482aa021f48ccd4614252025-08-20T03:54:51ZengWileyJournal of Skin Cancer2090-29052090-29132014-01-01201410.1155/2014/285357285357Assessing the Current Market of Sunscreen: A Cross-Sectional Study of Sunscreen Availability in Three Metropolitan Counties in the United StatesKyle T. Amber0Romi Bloom1Patrick Staropoli2Sonam Dhiman3Shasa Hu4Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 10660 SW 75th Avenue, Miami, FL 33156, USADepartment of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 10660 SW 75th Avenue, Miami, FL 33156, USADepartment of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 10660 SW 75th Avenue, Miami, FL 33156, USADepartment of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 10660 SW 75th Avenue, Miami, FL 33156, USADepartment of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 10660 SW 75th Avenue, Miami, FL 33156, USASunscreen use is recommended for the prevention of sunburn and skin cancer. Little is known regarding sunscreen availability in high versus low income communities. We analyzed sunscreen availability in three large metropolitan counties to determine the relationship between availability and community demographics. We included sun care products in all pharmacies and supermarkets open as of July 2013 in representative high and low income zip codes in Cook County, Illinois, Miami-Dade County, Florida, and San Diego County, California. We recorded the percentage of tanning oil, sunscreens with a sun protection factor (SPF) < 15, SPF > 15, physical sunscreens, spray sunscreens, mean price per ounce (PPO), and mean SPF. Of the total products assessed, 11.0% were tanning oils, with physical sunscreens accounting for only 3.4% of the available sunscreens and 46.2% of sunscreens being spray-on. A comparison between higher and lower income zip codes demonstrated a significantly increased percentage of sunscreens with SPF < 15 in high income zip codes. Lower income zip codes had higher percentages of sunscreens with SPF > 15 and higher PPO, even when taking into account SPF. Further studies of sunscreen usage patterns in different populations must take into account sunscreen availability and price, as these significantly differ based on the community demographic.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/285357
spellingShingle Kyle T. Amber
Romi Bloom
Patrick Staropoli
Sonam Dhiman
Shasa Hu
Assessing the Current Market of Sunscreen: A Cross-Sectional Study of Sunscreen Availability in Three Metropolitan Counties in the United States
Journal of Skin Cancer
title Assessing the Current Market of Sunscreen: A Cross-Sectional Study of Sunscreen Availability in Three Metropolitan Counties in the United States
title_full Assessing the Current Market of Sunscreen: A Cross-Sectional Study of Sunscreen Availability in Three Metropolitan Counties in the United States
title_fullStr Assessing the Current Market of Sunscreen: A Cross-Sectional Study of Sunscreen Availability in Three Metropolitan Counties in the United States
title_full_unstemmed Assessing the Current Market of Sunscreen: A Cross-Sectional Study of Sunscreen Availability in Three Metropolitan Counties in the United States
title_short Assessing the Current Market of Sunscreen: A Cross-Sectional Study of Sunscreen Availability in Three Metropolitan Counties in the United States
title_sort assessing the current market of sunscreen a cross sectional study of sunscreen availability in three metropolitan counties in the united states
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/285357
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