The Skin-Express Project (Hudekspressen): Educating School Children in Sun Protection - A Pilot Study

Sun-bathing with the aim of getting tanned has become increasingly popular in Western countries during the last few decades. Exposure to the sun has unquestionable beneficial effects, such as vitamin D synthesis in the skin and emotional well-being, besides having positive effects on skin diseases such as psoriasis (1, 2). However, the hazardous effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the skin are well-known, and therefore cautious behaviour needs to be exercised in the sun. Skin cancer (non-melanoma skin cancer and malignant melanoma), sun-induced eczema, ageing and sunburn are all conditions caused by solar UV radiation (3). The incidence of both non-melanoma skin cancer and malignant melanoma are increasing, but these potentially dangerous conditions can be prevented by cautious sun behaviour, and this is especially important among children and adolescents (4). Previous studies have shown that the education of children in sun protection can influence behaviour in the sun and thereby reduce the risk of sun-induced conditions (5, 6).