From north to south: exploring Italian sun-exposure habits through the “Save your skin” campaign

Sun exposure is the main external risk factor for skin cancer, affecting melanoma and non-melanoma differently. Although increased awareness of sun-induced skin damage and appropriate photoprotection has helped to reduce melanoma incidence, inadequate sun protection persists, influenced by geographical, social, and cultural factors. Italy's varying climates -from the colder north to the warmer south- impact sun exposure behaviours. This study examined sun protection habits from the 2023 "Save your skin" campaign to identify at-risk groups and support targeted education. Participants completed anonymous questionnaires on sun exposure, sunscreen use, and skin cancer history. Among 1,773 participants, 45% spent 2-4 weeks per year in the sun on holiday, 26% experienced occupational sun exposure, and 33% used tanning beds. Despite darker skin types, only 26% tanned easily; severe sunburn rates were consistent across regions. Central and southern participants reported more sun exposure on holiday than northern participants (p < 0.001); work-related sun exposure was more common in the south. Tanning bed use was higher in the north (p < 0.001). Although 62.46% always used sunscreen, only 32.51% applied it correctly. Misconceptions about sunscreen were widespread, and actinic damage was more frequent among those with lower photoprotection awareness. Inadequate sun protection is widespread in Italy, with regional differences in sun exposure and tanning bed use. Misconceptions about sunscreen are common, and the rate of proper application is low. The higher incidence of actinic damage among those with less photoprotection knowledge highlights the need for targeted education to improve sun safety and reduce skin cancer risk.

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Publication Details

Journal
European Journal of Dermatology
Published
2025-10-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1684/ejd.2025.4945
Primary Topic
Skin Protection and Aging
Type
article
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article

From north to south: exploring Italian sun-exposure habits through the “Save your skin” campaign

Luca Bianchi, Angelo Valerio Marzano, Elisa Zavattaro, Caterina Longo et al.
European Journal of Dermatology
Skin Protection and Aging
article

From north to south: exploring Italian sun-exposure habits through the “Save your skin” campaign

Luca Bianchi, Angelo Valerio Marzano, Elisa Zavattaro, Caterina Longo, Alessandra D'Amore, Giampiero Girolomoni, Chiara Airoldi, Bianca Maria Piraccini, Mauro Alaibac, Alessandro Di Stefani, Paola Savoia, Luca Stingeni, Marina Venturini, Serena Lembo, Marco Ardigò, Stefano Astorino, Maria Concetta Fargnoli, Anna Maria Offidani, Francesco Lacarrubba, Pietro Quaglino, Pasquale Frascione, Giuseppe Argenziano, Pietro Rubegni, Paolo Sena, Steven Paul Nisticò, Federica Veronese, Caterina Foti, Edoardo Cammarata, Marco Romanelli, Giuseppe Micali, Massimiliano Scalvenzi, Cláudia Costa, Carlo Tomasini, Vieri Grandi, Franco Rongioletti, Maurizio Congedo, Francesco Bellinato, Fabrizio Guarneri, Camilla Salvini
article en

Abstract

Sun exposure is the main external risk factor for skin cancer, affecting melanoma and non-melanoma differently. Although increased awareness of sun-induced skin damage and appropriate photoprotection has helped to reduce melanoma incidence, inadequate sun protection persists, influenced by geographical, social, and cultural factors. Italy's varying climates -from the colder north to the warmer south- impact sun exposure behaviours. This study examined sun protection habits from the 2023 "Save your skin" campaign to identify at-risk groups and support targeted education. Participants completed anonymous questionnaires on sun exposure, sunscreen use, and skin cancer history. Among 1,773 participants, 45% spent 2-4 weeks per year in the sun on holiday, 26% experienced occupational sun exposure, and 33% used tanning beds. Despite darker skin types, only 26% tanned easily; severe sunburn rates were consistent across regions. Central and southern participants reported more sun exposure on holiday than northern participants (p < 0.001); work-related sun exposure was more common in the south. Tanning bed use was higher in the north (p < 0.001). Although 62.46% always used sunscreen, only 32.51% applied it correctly. Misconceptions about sunscreen were widespread, and actinic damage was more frequent among those with lower photoprotection awareness. Inadequate sun protection is widespread in Italy, with regional differences in sun exposure and tanning bed use. Misconceptions about sunscreen are common, and the rate of proper application is low. The higher incidence of actinic damage among those with less photoprotection knowledge highlights the need for targeted education to improve sun safety and reduce skin cancer risk.

European Journal of DermatologyVol. 35(5)
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (IT), University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (IT), Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale “Amedeo Avogadro” (IT), University of Padua (IT), University of L'Aquila (IT), University of Perugia (IT), Military Hospital (PK), Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic (IT), Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico (IT), Ospedale Santa Chiara (IT), Azienda Unita' Sanitaria Locale Di Modena (IT), Azienda Sanitaria Unità Locale di Reggio Emilia (IT), Azienda Universitaria Ospedaliera Consorziale - Policlinico Bari (IT), IRCCS Azienda Ospedliero-Universitaria di Bologna Policlinico di Sant'Orsola (IT), Ospedale Santa Maria alle Scotte (IT), Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale degli Spedali Civili di Brescia (IT), Ospedale Papa Giovanni XXIII (IT), Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona (IT), Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti (IT), Provincia Autonoma di Trento (IT), Federico II University Hospital (IT), Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Maggiore della Carita (IT), Ospedale San Giovanni Bosco (IT), University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (IT), IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele (IT), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria "Renato Dulbecco" (IT), Ospedali Riuniti San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona (IT), Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IT), Policlinico Tor Vergata (IT), Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico "G. Martino" (IT), San Gallicano Hospital (IT), Azienda Ospedaliera Ospedale Maggiore (IT), Policlinico San Matteo Fondazione (IT), Ospedale Vito Fazzi (IT), Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IT), Azienda Usl Toscana Centro (IT), Piedmont University (US), Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Policlinico "G.Rodolico - San Marco" (IT)
Openalex Percentile: Top 41%
Skin Protection and Aging
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