Use of fake tanning lotions in the South Australian population

Objective: To explore the relationship between the use of fake tanning loti ons and repeated sunburn among South Australian adults, with a view to info rming the Anti-Cancer Foundation of South Australia's (ACFSA) policy on fak e tanning products. Study design: Population survey. Participants: 2005 South Australians aged 18 years or older, selected rando mly from the electronic White Pages. Main outcome measures: Self-reported use of fake tanning lotions in the pas t 12 months; frequency of sunburn over summer; and various sun-protective b ehaviours. Results: 2005 of the 2536 eligible participants (79%) were surveyed by tele phone. Fake tan use was most prevalent among women (15.9%), people aged 18- 24 years (15.4%), and people with household incomes above $40 000 per year (11.9%). Fake tan users were more likely than non-users to use sunscreens ( 81.3% v 56.5%; P<0.001), but less likely to take other precautions such as wearing hats (40.9% v 51.0%; P=0.04) and protective clothing (22.3% v 34.1% ; P=0.005). They were also more likely to report having been burnt more tha n once over summer (26.2% v 16.5%; P=0.025). Multivariate analysis indicate s a statistically significant association between fake tan use and repeated sunburn (adds ratio, 2.07; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-3.69), which was independent of age, sex, skin type and sun-protection practices. Conclusion: Users of fake tanning products may be at greater risk of repeat ed sunburn. The ACFSA sees no justification at this stage for altering its present policy position of not actively promoting the use of fake tanning l otions as a means of reducing sunburn.