Males reported higher exposure, less use of sunscreen and deeper tans than females. Yet males wore hats more frequently. People with skin that just burnt were more likely to protect themselves from the sun than people with skin that tanned. Longitudinally, the level of reported exposure and the depth of tan declined, frequency of covering up, hat wearing and sunscreen use remained unchanged, and a slight U-shaped trend was observed for sunburn. Young adulthood may be an important time where deteriorating trends for sun protection found in the teen years are averted.
Males are at greater risk of sun exposure than females.