Barriers to UV Radiation Lip Protection

An anonymous questionnaire was given to a convenience sample of 253 beachgoers on Galveston, Tex, public beaches during the summer months of 2004 to evaluate use of lip protection against UV radiation (UVR) damage. Beachgoers used significantly less (P<.0001 uvr lip protection than skin of individuals using those surveyed indicated that they were aware the risk cancer from exposure whereas in both and concern about damage to was much greater lips vs p=".0003)." a significantly higher percentage women protected their sun did men ten percent expressed concerns masculinity block use it is perceived as product used by compared with no> The most commonly cited obstacles to UVR lip protection were forgetting to bring or apply products with a sun protection factor, lack of concern about UVR, and bad taste. Comfort issues, appearance issues, and altered food and drink flavor were also found to be obstacles to use. Whereas changing levels of concern about UVR and concerns regarding the masculinity of lip block may be complex issues, taste, comfort, and appearance are all modifiable factors. Research with the goals of improving materials and vehicles used in lip block seems warranted, because this approach could increase the rates of lip protection in the future. Educating the public about accelerated nonchronologic lip aging may be another approach to improving UVR lip protection.