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Attitudes and practice among dermatologists regarding indoor tanning

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore dermatologists’ practices and attitudes related to educating and counseling their adolescent patients about indoor tanning. An online survey was carried out with a convenience sample of 100 dermatologists. Findings indicated that the majority of the dermatologists are actively engaged in discussing tanning bed use and sun protection with their adolescent patients. Most expressed positive attitudes toward educating patients on the risks of tanning bed use. Limited time was the most commonly reported barrier for the lack of discussion regarding indoor tanning. Of note, more than half of the dermatologists (65%) had patients suffering from tanning addiction. For tanning-addicted patients, dermatologists can encourage lifestyle changes, the use of sunless tanning products, and referrals when the patient’s needs extend beyond the scope of the dermatologist.

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Funding

This study was funded by Mini-Grant Research Award, Lincoln Memorial University (Vinayak K. Nahar and Zeynep T. Gromley).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street- L216, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA

    Vinayak K. Nahar, Ludmila Nahar & Robert T. Brodell

  2. Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine/John D. Bower School of Population Health, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA

    Vinayak K. Nahar

  3. Department of Human Environmental Sciences, College of Human Environmental Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA

    Amanda H. Wilkerson

  4. Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA

    Jonathan E. Mayer

  5. DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN, USA

    Zeynep Gromley & David Berry

Authors
  1. Vinayak K. Nahar
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  2. Amanda H. Wilkerson
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  3. Jonathan E. Mayer
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  4. Zeynep Gromley
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  5. David Berry
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  6. Ludmila Nahar
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  7. Robert T. Brodell
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vinayak K. Nahar.

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Conflict of interest

Robert Brodell, MD discloses the following potential conflicts of interest: Multicenter Clinical Trials: Galderma Laboratories, L.P.—principal investigator; Novartis—principal investigator; and, Glaxo Smith Kline—principal investigator. Editorial Boards: American Medical Student Research Journal; Practice Update Dermatology; Practical Dermatology; Practical Dermatology; Journal of the Mississippi State Medical Society; SKIN: The Journal of Cutaneous Medicine, and Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. There are no conflicts of interest related to employment, stock ownership, expert testimony, grants, patents filed, received, pending, or in preparation, or royalties. Vinayak K. Nahar, Amanda H. Wilkerson, Jonathan E. Mayer, Zeynep Gromley, David Berry, and Ludmila Nahar have no conflicts of interest.

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Nahar, V.K., Wilkerson, A.H., Mayer, J.E. et al. Attitudes and practice among dermatologists regarding indoor tanning. Arch Dermatol Res 312, 681–684 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-019-02026-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-019-02026-4

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