Sun care advertising in popular U.S. magazines

Do sun care product advertisements placed in popular magazines reach populations at high risk of melanoma? The answer is, No, based on the findings of this survey. Cover-to-cover reviews of sun care product advertising in 579 issues of 24 top-selling magazines published between the months of May and September, 1997 to 2002, were examined. More than three-quarters (77%) of all sun care product advertisements were placed in women’s magazines. Most advertised sun care products were for either cosmetics (38%) or moisturizers (26%) containing sun protection factor (SPF). Few sun care products were advertised in magazines for men, travelers, outdoor recreation users, and parents/families, despite the high rate of excessive sun exposure in these groups