Miranda Cosgrove and Neutrogena Urge Teens to Say No to Tanning to Help Save Lives

LOS ANGELES, March 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The end of winter is prime time for tanning as teens prepare for spring break and escape the cool-weather blues. An estimated 2.3 million teens visit a tanning salon at least once a year, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. What these teens don't realize is that just four visits to a tanning booth per year can increase their risk for melanoma by 11 percent. One teen wants to make a difference. Actress Miranda Cosgrove, 18, is passionate about helping Neutrogena spread sun safety education to teens.

"I don't think teens realize the consequences associated with tanning," said Miranda. "It's important for me to help people my age realize that tanning can be dangerous and, in the long run, not worth a winter tan."

In an effort to stop this behavior among teens, many states are banning tanning beds for those under 18 -- but more must be done to educate teens about the connection between sun exposure and skin cancer. A recent study from the American Academy of Pediatrics[i] showed that as children become teenagers, the number who report "liking a tan" increases to 66 percent with only 25 percent "often or always" using sunscreen when outside for at least six hours in the summer.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, ninety percent of pediatric melanoma cases occur in girls aged 10-19, and changes in skin may appear as early as age 20 in anyone who has spent time exposing skin to UV radiation during childhood and teen years. For those who still want a glow, there are healthy options such as sunless tanners and bronzers which provide the desired look without the dangerous side effects.

Miranda and Neutrogena, the number-one dermatologist-recommended suncare brand, have partnered to equip teens with 10 simple tips to protect themselves from the sun's dangerous UV rays so they don't become part of the skin cancer epidemic.

1. Buy a wide-brimmed hat for each season to keep up with trends and protect your face from the sun
2. Get healthy with trips to the gym and eating right but don't top off your look with a tan - there is no such thing as a healthy suntan
3. Accessorize your sunscreen to match wherever you're headed - creams, lotions, sprays - choose your fave
4. Stay away from tanning beds - you can use sunless tanner or bronzer to get the same look without damaging your skin
5. Look for stylish and sun-savvy protective clothing whenever you're out shopping - even for winter
6. Put on sunscreen anytime you go cruising with friends - you get 85 percent of your sun driving around in your car
7. Replace your daily moisturizer or foundation with one that has an SPF - that way it's quick and easy to make sunscreen part of your beauty routine
8. Grab a friend or boyfriend/girlfriend to help with a simple skin cancer check - it can be hard to see those spots on your back
9. Wear sunscreen to protect yourself from harmful rays even on cloudy days - just because you can't see the sun doesn't mean it's not there
10. Pick up travel-sized sunscreens to throw in your purse, gym bag and suitcase so you're always prepared on-the-go

Miranda and Neutrogena also invite teens to share the dangers of tanning with their friends on Facebook and Twitter to help spread the word. They can visit Facebook.com/MirandaCosgrove or @MirandaCosgrove on Twitter for a special status update from Miranda that they can repost.

Neutrogena's Tips to Avoid a Tan initiative aims to create a groundswell of awareness and real-time support to help teens better understand the life-saving importance of safe sun behaviors. The initiative is one facet of the Choose Skin Health program which offers free skin cancer screenings and sun protection education to people nationwide.

Find more skin cancer prevention tips and tools at csh.Neutrogena.com.

About Neutrogena
A worldwide leader in premium, dermatologist-recommended skin, hair and cosmetics products, Neutrogena Corporation has been providing consumers with health and beauty improvements for over 40 years.  The Company manufactures and markets a line of premium-priced skin and hair care products that are distributed in more than 70 countries. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Neutrogena is a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, the world's most comprehensive and broadly based health care products company. 

[i] Dusza, S. W., Halpern, A. C., Satagopan, J. M., Oliveria, S. A., Weinstock, M. A., Scope, A., Berwick, M., Geller, A. C. (2012). Prospective Study of Sunburn and Sun Behavior Patterns During Adolescence. Pediatrics peds.2011-0104; published ahead of print January 23, 2012, doi:10.1542/peds.2011-0104

SOURCE Neutrogena