Americans are putting their skin at risk by intentionally avoiding sunscreen. Summer is a timely reminder of the importance of protecting our skin from the sun’s harmful rays.
A new consumer survey found that 1 in 3 Americans intentionally skip sunscreen, and 28% admit to rarely or never using it. Despite over half (58%) of Americans saying they are worried about getting skin cancer, skin checks are left on the back burner. Surprisingly, nearly 9 in 10 Gen Z and Millennials avoid their yearly dermatologist visits.
Sunscreen Neglect: Alarming Survey Findings on Americans’ Skin Protection Habits
Many Americans don’t just forget to protect their skin, but some actually admit they don’t use sunscreen on purpose, according to the new consumer sentiment survey on the subject of summer and skincare.
59% of Americans don’t apply sunscreen on cloudy days.
57% of men and 41% of women confess to skipping sunscreen.
Over half of Americans do not check the expiration date on their sunscreen before using it.
Everyone wants to look good, and some will go to great lengths and costs to do so. A new survey looked into how much Americans spend on their appearance, along with what they spend the most money on.
The study found adults spend an average of $722 on their appearance each year. Not surprisingly, women spend a bit more ($877) than men do ($592) on their looks.
Whether you’re planning to ramp up your self care in 2023 or cut back because of rising costs, you won’t be alone.
Nearly 1 in 6 spend more on beauty and wellness than they can afford.
34% want to receive beauty/wellness products during the holidays.
3 in 5 Americans say inflation impacts their decision whether or not to spend money on their appearance.
Regardless of spending habits, 67% say they worry about their appearance and 58% struggle with self-confidence.
What is making Americans self-conscious? Weight, skin quality, and smile/teeth top the list.
Some people are taking matters into their own hands, with 1 in 3 considering cosmetic procedures to improve their appearance.
View the full study to learn more, including details about the top beauty and wellness investments.
SURVEY REVEALS AVERAGE AMERICAN SPENDS $722 ON APPEARANCE PER YEAR
Everyone wants to look good, and some will go to great lengths and costs to do so. Our new study shows just how much Americans are spending on beauty and wellness and what their top concerns are. For some, skincare is a priority, while others want to slow down the aging process.
While certain concerns can be addressed through cosmetic procedures, people are also taking matters into their own hands. In a survey of more than 1,000 Americans, it was revealed on average, adults spend $722 every year on their appearance.
While the average person spends more than $700 on their appearance per year, the spending is higher among women. The average American woman shells out $877 annually, while men pay $592 on average.
When it comes to investing in your image, people have spent the most money on hair products, followed by skincare, and shaving products in the last 12 months. Hair and skin remain a priority as seven out of the top ten expenditures revolve around these features.
When looking individually at women, the top 3 beauty investments are skincare, hair products, as well as haircuts and color.
The top investments for men slightly differ. Haircuts top the list, followed by supplements/protein powders, and gym memberships.
Despite spending nearly $1,000 per year on looks, 60% of Americans wish they had more money to use on their appearance. In fact, 1 in 6 admit to spending more on beauty and wellness than they can afford.
When comparing how much men and women spend in certain categories, women spend more than men on haircuts, makeup, skincare, hair products, and nails. On average, women spend $60 more per year on haircuts than men. When looking at skincare expenses, women spend around $28 per month, while men pay around $17. Meanwhile, men spend, on average, $18 per month on gym memberships, compared to the $11 women shell out. Men are also paying more for supplements and protein every month.
While there are many reasons someone may want to put their best self forward, some Americans are spending so much on their appearance because of worries or insecurities. More than 2 in 3 (67%) worry about their appearance. Additionally, 3 in 4 women (75%) and 60% of men say they worry about how they look. When it comes to self confidence, 58% of the population say they struggle to feel good about themselves. Half of men and 65% of women admit having a lack of self confidence.
The struggle of self-consciousness can be rooted in many things. Weight is a top concern (63%), followed by skin quality (38%), smile/teeth (37%), hair (34%), and muscle tone/mass (25%). While many people may try on their own to improve their appearance, 1 in 3 are considering cosmetic surgery. More women (44%) than men (22%) are considering that route.
So far in their lifetime, people who have gotten cosmetic procedures have paid around $630 on average. Women have spent $1,120 on average, and men have spent much lower at $159. The most common procedures people have paid for include botox/fillers, laser hair removal, breast augmentation, and liposuction.
Cost is a consideration whether you’re buying new lotion, consulting with a dermatologist, joining a gym, which 11% of Americans plan to do in 2023. In fact, 3 in 5 Americans say inflation impacts their decision whether or not to spend money on their appearance.
More than 1 in 4 (26%) plan on spending more money on their appearance in 2023 than they did in 2022. When it comes to the holidays, 17% plan on gifting beauty and wellness products, while more than 1 in 3 (34%) hope to receive those products.
Everyone struggles at different times with their appearance. It’s important to know: You’re not alone and you are beautiful.
At Advanced Dermatology, they aim to educate and help people make good choices by providing accurate and complete information for your optimal skin health and skincare.
Methodology
In November 2022, Advdermatology.com conducted a survey of 1,003 people from around the U.S. Among respondents, 48% identified as male, 49% as female, and 3% as non-binary or transgender with an average age of 39.
Did you know more than 1 in 10 Americans admit to never wearing sunscreen?
During the summer, many people spend time outside and forget about protecting their skin. When protecting your skin from sun damage, it is important to check for brown spots, wrinkles, and sunburns when you feel you have had too much sun exposure.
If you do not protect your skin, the risk for skin cancer increases. Remember, skin cancer does not discriminate by race or gender.
Do Americans take sun safety seriously? Not much, according to a new study from Advanced Dermatology.
Key Highlights
More than 1 in 10 don’t wear sunscreen at all.
2 in 5 men (39%) rarely or never use sunscreen on their body, compared to 28% of women.
44% of women say they use sunscreen on their face most or all of the time, compared to just 15% of men.
72% have never been checked for skin cancer by a doctor.
More than 1 in 3 (34%) Americans say they’ve been sunburnt in the last year.
What are the body parts Americans burn the most?
53% report getting sunburnt on their shoulders and back. Reoccurring sunburns may be cause for concern. Only 54% of Americans are concerned about getting skin cancer and of those concerned, 87% say they do not get annual skin cancer screenings.
“Sunscreens have tons of chemicals in them – they’re worse for you than getting a sunburn.”
No one wants wrinkles, #sunburn or increased risk of developing skin cancer. But with thousands of types of sunscreen and nearly as many myths about how to stay safe, questions abound.
Luckily, next week sunscreen expert and #Dermatologist, Benjamin N. Lockshin, MD, FAAD, will answer your questions on sun safety just in time for the official start of summer.
Submit a question by email to sh_info@jhmi.edu or leave a comment below by end of day, Tuesday June 16th for Dr. Lockshin. Feel free to share our post with friends and family!
