Pharmacists Can Educate Patients About Sun Safety

Jennifer Gershman, PharmD, CPh, PACS;

Key Takeaways

Pharmacists are pivotal in sun safety education, emphasizing sunscreen use, protective clothing, and skin checks to prevent skin cancer.
The SCAN program showed pharmacist-led interventions improved patient knowledge on sunscreen application and melanoma signs.
Pharmacists should identify medications causing photosensitivity, advising patients on precautions to prevent sunburn.
Broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher is recommended, blocking 97% of UV-B rays, with 1 oz needed for full coverage.

Particularly during summer months, counsel patients about sunscreen recommendations and drug-induced photosensitivity prevention strategies.

July is UV Awareness Month and a great time for pharmacists to showcase sun safety clinical pearls.¹ The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends steering clear of the sun’s UV rays through prevention strategies such as applying sunscreen, seeking shade, and wearing sun-protective clothing.¹ These tips are an important part of skin cancer prevention. The AAD created SPOT Skin Cancer, a skin cancer awareness program that offers sun safety tips, demonstrates skin self-exams, and lists where to get free skin cancer checks.² Pharmacists play a vital role in educating patients about sun safety through medication therapy management (MTM).

close-up of women's hands with sunscreen

Image Credit: kosmos111 | stock.adobe.com

MTM and Sun Safety

One study evaluated the Skin Cancer Awareness Now! (SCAN) pilot program in community pharmacies in West Virginia.³ The study was performed through pre- and postintervention surveys of SCAN! with 90 participants at underserved Appalachian community pharmacies.³ Pharmacists and student pharmacists were involved in the program, with the goal of educating patients about sun safety and decreasing the risk of skin cancer in a medically underserved population.³ The study results found that after the intervention, most patients had improved knowledge about the amount of sunscreen needed per application (66%; P < .01).³ Additionally, patients were more knowledgeable about the signs of melanoma (39%; P < .01).³ These study findings highlight the important role pharmacists play in sun safety.

MTM Spotlight

In an email interview with Pharmacy Times, Ashlee Nhu Le, PharmD, a consultant pharmacist with Walmart Pharmacy, discussed sun safety tips.
“When it comes to patient counseling about sun care, it is not only [important] to inform them about medications that increase risk of burn or sun sensitivity, but also to help them with selecting the appropriate sunscreen for their skin and how to apply it,” Le said. Physical (mineral) sunscreen contains minerals such as zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide, which create a physical barrier on the skin and reflect harmful UV rays. Chemical sunscreen contains chemicals that absorb damaging UV rays. “It is important to pick the right sunscreen for the best protection,” Le said. “Patients with a history of eczema and sensitive or acne-prone skin may benefit from mineral sunscreen because it does not contain harsh chemicals that can cause skin irritation. However, mineral sunscreen may leave a white cast on the skin. On the other hand, chemical sunscreen is easier to rub in and has a lightweight texture and a nonchalky finish, making it ideal for almost all skin tones. Despite its convenience, chemical sunscreen is comedogenic and nonhypoallergenic compared [with] mineral sunscreen.” It is also important to counsel patients about applying sunscreen at least 15 minutes before sun exposure. Additionally, patients should reapply sunscreen every 2 hours while outside or after swimming or sweating.

About the Author

Jennifer Gershman, PharmD, CPh, PACS, is a drug information pharmacist and Pharmacy Times contributor who resides in South Florida.

Pharmacists can educate patients about sun safety during MTM consults. The AAD recommends broad-spectrum sunscreen products with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher with water resistance.⁴ An SPF of at least 30 blocks 97% of the sun’s UV-B rays.⁴ Adults typically need approximately 1 oz of sunscreen to fully cover their skin, and pharmacists can educate patients that this is about the amount needed to fill a shot glass. Patients should also apply lip balm that contains sunscreen and seek shade whenever possible, especially when the sun’s rays are strongest, between 10 am and 2 pm.⁴ Wearing sun-protective clothing is also an important counseling point. This includes a hat, sunglasses with UV protection, and clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor.⁴

Pharmacists can also help identify certain medications that may cause drug-induced photosensitivity reactions. Examples include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, isotretinoin (Accutane), tetracycline antibiotics, thiazide diuretics, and amiodarone (Nexterone; Baxter).⁵ Because these medications can increase the risk of patients experiencing a sunburn, it is important to take extra precautions while outdoors.

Pharmacists can also educate patients to perform routine skin checks to look for signs of cancer. If anything looks suspicious, recommend that patients consult with a dermatologist. Skin cancer that is caught early is highly treatable. The ABCDEs can serve as a guide to identify melanoma (see Table⁶).

Table. ABCDEs of Melanoma⁶

REFERENCES

It’s UV Awareness Month! Take a look at how AAD promotes sun safety year-round. American Academy of Dermatology. Accessed June 5, 2025. https://www.aad.org/member/advocacy/promote/uv-awareness
SPOT Skin Cancer seeks a world without skin cancer. American Academy of Dermatology. Accessed June 5, 2025. https://www.aad.org/public/public-health/skin-cancer-awareness
Kelly KM, Dhumal T, Scott VG, et al. SCAN! a pharmacy-based, sun safety feasibility study. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). 2021;61(1):e69-e79. doi:10.1016/j.japh.2020.10.004
Sunscreen FAQs. American Academy of Dermatology. Accessed June 5, 2025. https://www.aad.org/media/stats-sunscreen
Monteiro AF, Rato M, Martins C. Drug-induced photosensitivity: photoallergic and phototoxic reactions. Clin Dermatol. 2016;34(5):571-581. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2016.05.006
What to look for: ABCDEs of melanoma. American Academy of Dermatology. Accessed June 5, 2025. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/find/at-risk/abcdes

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Pharmacists Can Educate Patients About Sun Safety

Key Takeaways

MTM and Sun Safety

MTM Spotlight

About the Author

Jennifer Gershman, PharmD, CPh, PACS, is a drug information pharmacist and Pharmacy Times contributor who resides in South Florida.

REFERENCES

It’s UV Awareness Month! Take a look at how AAD promotes sun safety year-round. American Academy of Dermatology. Accessed June 5, 2025. https://www.aad.org/member/advocacy/promote/uv-awareness

SPOT Skin Cancer seeks a world without skin cancer. American Academy of Dermatology. Accessed June 5, 2025. https://www.aad.org/public/public-health/skin-cancer-awareness

Kelly KM, Dhumal T, Scott VG, et al. SCAN! a pharmacy-based, sun safety feasibility study. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). 2021;61(1):e69-e79. doi:10.1016/j.japh.2020.10.004

Sunscreen FAQs. American Academy of Dermatology. Accessed June 5, 2025. https://www.aad.org/media/stats-sunscreen

Monteiro AF, Rato M, Martins C. Drug-induced photosensitivity: photoallergic and phototoxic reactions. Clin Dermatol. 2016;34(5):571-581. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2016.05.006

What to look for: ABCDEs of melanoma. American Academy of Dermatology. Accessed June 5, 2025. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/find/at-risk/abcdes

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