General warnings about skin cancer rarely change a teenager's behaviour. Specific, practical habits do better: a wide-brimmed hat and long-sleeved clothing, shade during the middle of the day, and broad-spectrum sunscreen applied generously and reapplied every two hours and after swimming or sweating.
Linking the advice to something the child already does, such as sports practice or a school bag, makes it more likely to stick.
- Recommend shade during the middle of the day.
- Hats and protective clothing first; sunscreen as an addition, not a substitute.
- Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen generously and reapply every two hours and after swimming.
- Tie the habit to something routine, such as packing a sports bag.
Why it matters
Specific instructions change behaviour where general warnings do not.
Read the rest in the app
You have read your two free briefings this month. The app carries all 27 specialties, every morning, free — and this finding is waiting in it.
Scan to keep reading on your phone. No account needed to start.
Tomorrow morning, before your first patient
One edition a day for dermatology, written by the desk, every claim tied to its paper. Six minutes.
Get the app — free