Sunscreen Use and Photoprotection Practices: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Adults in a Dermatology Outpatient Clinic

Background Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a leading environmental cause of photoaging and skin cancer. Despite widespread public health recommendations, sunscreen use remains inconsistent in many populations. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 200 adults at a dermatology outpatient clinic in Istanbul, Turkey. The Turkish-language questionnaire assessed sunscreen habits, beliefs, UV risk awareness, and complementary sun protection behaviors. Behavioral profiles and predictors of use were analyzed using multivariate methods. Results Sunscreen use was reported by 72.5% of participants, but only 27.0% used it daily and 27.5% never used it. Most applied it only in the morning (51.5%), and 23.0% reported reapplication. Full awareness of sun damage and belief in sunscreen's cancer prevention were low (23.5% and 18.0%, respectively). The mean adherence score was 3.0/5. Common alternative protections included sunglasses (60.0%) and hats (46.0%). Non-use was mainly due to forgetfulness, perceived lack of need, and cost. Clustering revealed three behavior profiles; one group showed high awareness and consistent use. A machine learning model explained 2.5% of adherence variance; key predictors were age, cancer prevention motivation, and hat use. Conclusion Sunscreen behavior in this outpatient sample revealed inconsistencies between self-reported use and recommended practices. The findings highlight the need for further research and targeted public health strategies to improve awareness and application habits.