A simple intervention to reinforce awareness of tanning bed use and skin cancer in non‐medical skin care professionals in Southern California

Background (i) To assess the baseline knowledge of non‐medical skin care professionals (estheticians, cosmetologists, massage therapists) on tanning bed use and its association with melanoma; and (ii) to provide preliminary evidence of the potential impact of a fast and simple educational intervention on tanning beds and melanoma on the awareness of non‐medical skin care professionals towards skin cancer prevention. Methods A pre‐intervention survey was administered to non‐medical skin care professional at salons or spas in Southern California to assess baseline knowledge on tanning and skin cancer. This was followed immediately by a 10‐minute oral presentation on tanning bed use and its association with melanoma. One month later, a post‐intervention survey was distributed to individuals who attended the initial oral presentation. Results Significant changes pre‐ and post‐intervention were found in non‐medical skin care professionals’ answer responses to the following: (i) increased speaking to clients about cancer risk with tanning bed use 42–66% (OR 2.44; 95% CI 1.39, 4.30)]; (ii) decreased personal tanning bed use (23–15% OR 0.61; 95% CI 0.37, 1.00]); and (iii) decreased belief that tanning beds are an excellent cosmetic tool (29–20% OR 0.60; 95% CI 0.38, 0.96]). Conclusion This study provides preliminary evidence that non‐medical skin care professionals could be an important source of primary prevention information for reducing the burden of melanoma.