Ida M. Heerfordt, Peter A. Philipsen, Bettina Ø. Larsen, Hans Christian Wulf
DOI: 10.2340/00015555-2772

This observational study examined the trend from the 1990s to 2016 of sunscreen use, sun protection factor (SPF) and quantity of sunscreen applied amongst beachgoers in Denmark. In 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2016, a total of 1,306 beachgoers were asked if they had used sunscreen on that day and, if so, which SPF. In 1992 and 2016 another 143 beachgoers had their sunscreen bottles weighed before and after application. The frequency of sunscreen use among women increased from 45% in 1997 to 78% in 2016, while the frequency of use among men increased from 39% to 49%. For both sexes the median SPF increased, on average, by one unit per year, from SPF 5 in 1997 to SPF 20 in 2016. The quantity of sunscreen applied increased from 0.48 mg/cm2 in 1992 to 0.57 mg/cm2 in 2016. Thus, the frequency of sunscreen use, the SPF, and the quantity of sunscreen applied have increased in the recent decades.