How Young People Use Sunscreen

How Young People Use Sunscreen

One of the biggest aspects of college is learning to how to live on one’s own. Protecting one’s self is a large part of this. Hygiene in the communal showers, eating the right foods, exercising the right amount, avoiding substance abuse and practicing safe sex are just a few of things a person in college must look out for. But what about the sun? Lost among the shuffle is protection from the piercing ultraviolet rays from our closest star. When compared against other dangers such as obesity or alcoholism, melanoma seems to hold its own. So what are kids doing to protect themselves? There are very simple ways to protect ourselves from the sun. A hat is useful and sunglasses make it easier on our eyes. One often overlooked alternative is sunscreen. Why don’t more people use it?

A study conducted eight years ago interviewed people of all ages and backgrounds in an effort to study sunbathing and solar protection habits. This study found that roughly only half of the people who sunbathe with any frequency use sunscreen. When broken down into demographics, one can see that the percentages are lower for the 16-25 year old group than in any other group interviewed (Koh). These numbers clearly indicate that not enough young people are using sunscreen. Why not?

Any person that looks at me can tell that I’m too Irish from my own good. While this may have an advantage or two, it presents a serious problem in an environment like Miami. Someone like me cannot last long in this sun. How do I protect myself for extended periods of time? That’s right, SPF 50. Go on, laugh, but I have never burned when I have used it.

What about other, less Irish people? At the end of August I took a trip to South Beach with a group of seven people. There were several Miami natives, but others hailed from the North. Yet only I wore sunscreen. In June a dozen of my friends and I went on a week-long trip to Ocean City. After the first day at the beach, nine of my friends suffered from sun poisoning and spent the majority of the trip indoors. So why don’t kids use sunscreen? Is it something that comes with maturity? Or must it be learned through experience?

I personally learned through experience. I fell asleep on a boat once and woke up with some of the worst sunburn an afternoon sun can give you.