Let's get straight to the point. Gen Z is a pretty exciting player in the world today. But Generation Z is playing fast and loose with sun protection. A recent survey showed a huge gap in perceived SPF protection and what actually needs to be done to keep skin safe. Those who use sun protection rely almost exclusively on multi-tasking products like foundations, moisturizers, and serums.
77% of Gen Z respondents who think they use sunscreen daily actually aren’t. While these products do contain sunscreen ingredients, they are not sunblock or sunscreen. They do not provide enough protection from UVA and UVB rays. So the real number of daily sunscreen users in Gen Z is even lower than we thought. Why would they do this?
With so much misinformation on the Internet, it’s not surprising. Young people often fall victim to invincibility bias. Simply put, because they don’t see the effects of sun damage until they’re much older, they believe they're invincible. On top of that, most might figure science will have a full cure by the time it affects them years down the road. Sunscreen myths on social media might also play a role.
Let me dispel that right now - sunblock and sunscreens are generally not dangerous to your health and to the environment and certainly a better option than melanoma skin cancer. And yes, I have seen skin cancer in 20 year olds. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States so the importance of sun safety cannot ever be underemphasized.
Please spread the word!
Dr. Sam Speron
When I first published The 7 Critical Questions to Ask Before Letting Any Surgeon Touch You, I had no idea that it would be so popularly received. Since its publication, this brief guide has helped thousands like you to more safely navigate the world of cosmetic surgery. The 7 Questions have been updated and a bonus section, Applying the 7 Questions, has just been added. Be my guest to read, learn and share.
