Sunscreen Use and Usefulness in African-Americans

January 2007 | Volume 6 | Issue 1 | Original Article | 19 | Copyright © January 2007


James J. Briley Jr. DO, Yelva L. Lynfield MD, Krina Chavda DO

Abstract
Sunscreen use in the African-American population is much less than in Caucasians. Its use in African-Americans varies based on factors such as sex, age, skin type, socioeconomic status, occupation, aesthetic issues, and medical conditions. In order to investigate sunscreen usage and awareness among African-Americans, a questionnaire survey was conducted in a primary care office setting located in a beach community of Queens, New York. This article will review some of the issues, attitudes, and beliefs regarding sunscreen use within the African-American community with data compiled from the survey and a literature search.