Reduce UV Exposure to Prevent Skin Cancer

Insight into why young women indoor tan and tools to help them quit

Indoor tanning significantly increases the risk of skin cancer and is prevalent among young women. The purpose of this study was to identify the most common beliefs of young, white women regarding indoor tanning, and to create and test effective messages based on those findings.

This toolkit contains the themes and messages used in the Skin Cancer Communication Project (SCCP). These messages can be utilized by public health professionals to discourage the use of indoor tanning.

  • Messages are available in three formats: 30-second video PSAs, 30-second radio PSAs, and posters.
  • Click through the tabs within each prevention message for useful tools.

View & print the complete toolkit

Be good to yourself. Be good to your skin.

 

Stop using tanning beds!

Theme: Empowerment

This message focuses on the negative physical appearance associated with indoor tanning, like wrinkles and an orange skin tone. Young, white women in the study responded to the idea of preventing damage to their skin.

Woman getting a facial at a spa

https://soundcloud.com/upenn-prc/indoor-tanning-psa-own-place-mixdown/s-ds8SG

“I used to love going to the tanning salon. I love(d) the way it made me look and feel, but I started learning about how indoor tanning can cause cancer and damage your skin – so I stopped tanning. It was a big change, but there are lots of other things that can make me feel and look just as good – like going to the spa, getting a manicure, or taking a yoga class. I really like how my skin looks without tanning, and I’m really just as happy. Be good to yourself and your skin. Stop indoor tanning!”

It's your choice

Walk away from indoor tanning.

Theme: Empowerment

This message focuses on the negative physical appearance associated with indoor tanning, like wrinkles and an orange skin tone. Young, white women in the study responded to the idea of preventing damage to their skin.

You have the freedom to choose 

“As a young woman, you have the freedom to make your own choices. Like choosing your own career, finding a place to live, being physically active, and being healthy. Indoor tanning can limit your choices by causing permanent skin damage and skin cancer. It’s your choice. Don’t use tanning beds.”

Protect your future

 

Protect yourself against sun damage and skin cancer. Don’t use tanning beds,

Theme: Appearance

This message focuses on the negative physical appearance associated with indoor tanning, like wrinkles and an orange skin tone. Young, white women in the study responded to the idea of preventing damage to their skin.

“What if you could see into your future? What would it look like? If you indoor tan, your future could have wrinkles and age spots. (gasp!) That’s because indoor tanning damages your skin, causing premature aging, and even skin cancer. Protect your future. Protect yourself against skin damage and skin cancer. Don’t use tanning beds.”

Don't let tanning ruin the perfect occasion

Indoor tanning causes skin damage and skin cancer,

Theme: Appearance

This message focuses on the negative physical appearance associated with indoor tanning, like wrinkles and an orange skin tone. Young, white women in the study responded to the idea of preventing damage to their skin.

Don't let tanning ruin the perfect occasion poster. 

“The perfect occasion, you found the perfect shoes, the perfect dress, the perfect flowers, and it’s the perfect day. But you went indoor tanning, and it left you looking like a sunburned raccoon. Don’t let tanning ruin the perfect occasion. Using a tanning bed even a few minutes can be risky. Indoor tanning can cause skin cancer and permanent skin damage. It’s your choice, don’t use tanning beds.”

Indoor tanning damages skin cells, aging the skin more quickly

And it increases the risk of skin cancer. Don’t use tanning beds!

Theme: Appearance & Skin Cancer

This message focuses on the negative physical appearance associated with indoor tanning, like wrinkles and an orange skin tone. Young, white women in the study responded to the idea of preventing damage to their skin.

Start early and protect your skin poster 

“When I was my daughter’s age, I used to indoor tan. I didn’t know what a tanning bed could do to your skin, like cause wrinkles or even skin cancer. If I’d known, I would have never gone tanning. My daughter just decided to stop using tanning beds and I am so happy. Maybe she won’t end up needing all the wrinkle creams and lotions I use every day. Indoor tanning damages skin, aging it more quickly, and increases the risk of skin cancer. Don’t use tanning beds.”

Be done with indoor tanning

It really does cause skin cancer and skin damage

Theme: Skin Cancer

This message focuses on the negative physical appearance associated with indoor tanning, like wrinkles and an orange skin tone. Young, white women in the study responded to the idea of preventing damage to their skin.