So far, 29 states and the District of Columbia have adopted SUNucate legislation to allow sunscreen use in schools. A growing coalition of advocates would like to see the other 21 follow suit soon! Map courtesy of ASDSA
If your state is in green, above, good for you! Your kids have access to protect their skin from an early age. If you’re in one of the 21 states still in gray, here’s how you can help give the green light to better sun protection!
Many parents with school-age children are surprised to learn that because the FDA considers sunscreen an over-the-counter drug, some states still prohibit students from carrying and applying sunscreen in school. Seems shocking, right? As parents and guardians, we play a crucial role in advocating for our children’s health and well-being, including their skin health. While the risk of skin cancer may seem distant for young people, it’s crucial to establish sun-safe habits early.
The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association — or ASDSA, a 501(c)(6) advocacy group of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery — has been working for more than a decade to address this issue. In 2013, they assembled a national coalition of more than 50 stakeholders and crafted legislation they cleverly named SUNucate to create a specific exception to the broader medication bans and allow sunscreen use in schools.
The Skin Cancer Foundation is a member of the SUNucate Coalition, as well as the PASS (Public Access to Sunscreens) Coalition, which has also joined the SUNucate effort. PASS is a group of public health organizations, dermatologists, scientists and sunscreen manufacturers whose mission is to ensure that Americans have access to safe and effective sunscreens.
Navigating the System
With bipartisan support, the SUNucate measure has been adopted in 29 states and the District of Columbia. But the continuing ban in 21 states makes sun protection more difficult for kids and parents, requiring many students who want to use sunscreen at school to obtain a note from a physician and apply it in front of a school nurse. Those who think that makes no sense wonder what the holdup is.
“In order to pass any legislation, you need a sponsor willing to build a strong coalition,” says Kristin Hellquist, chief advocacy officer for the ASDSA. “We encourage all local members of a state’s SUNucate Coalition to work together to get this common-sense law enacted. But it’s not easy, as every state is different. New Jersey had great support and passed the bill in March 2025. Massachusetts, on the other hand, has run the bill at least four times so far but not crossed the finish line.” So, what can be done?
The Need for Sun Protection in Childhood
Sami Naim, head of government affairs, North America, for Kenvue and a parent of two school-age children, hopes “to close the gap and get those other 21 states signed onto the bill.” Naim says, “Kids are going to be kids, and they’re going to be outside. We should be doing everything we can to protect their skin and put them on a path to live a full, healthy life.”
M. Laurin Council, MD, a professor of dermatology at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, warns that “just one blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles a person’s chances of developing melanoma later in life.” As she is also president of ASDS and ASDSA, she knows her stats, adding, “Children in schools are at an increased risk of sun exposure and skin cancer. Kids get about 25 percent of their lifetime sun exposure by age 18. Plus, melanoma is the third most common type of cancer diagnosed in people between the ages of 20 and 29.”
“Over the past few years, there has been a lot of hard work to get political alignment behind this issue of sunscreen in schools,” Naim says, “and it is bipartisan. No matter what the political climate is, we have to keep pushing on this issue, and make sure we don’t turn our backs on schoolchildren who are at risk. This is a crucial public health issue for millions of little ones across the country.”
What Can Help to Inspire Kids?
Regardless of your state’s sun protection legislation, it’s essential to understand how to help your kids practice sun safety. Studies have consistently shown that using sunscreen at an early age reduces the risk of skin cancer — especially in tandem with other sun protection practices. Going back as far as 1986, a study published in JAMA Dermatology found that regular use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF during the first 18 years of life reduced the incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer by 78 percent.
It’s important to teach young people to take ownership of their skin health. As with many daily habits we want our kids to embrace, like brushing their teeth, we can model good behavior. We can make sure they see us applying sunscreen every day ourselves and show that we care about protecting our skin by wearing sun-protective clothing, hats and sunglasses, too. By making sure they notice, we encourage kids to do the same.
Influencers (beyond the parental type), particularly in the beauty industry and across social platforms, have also recognized the importance of sun protection and are playing a significant role in educating young people about it. They’ve highlighted sunscreen’s skin cancer prevention and antiaging benefits along with emphasizing how it can help maintain youthful, radiant skin. By making sun protection trendy and desirable, influencers are inspiring a new generation to prioritize sun safety.
Promoting Sun Safety: Many dermatologists would be happy to visit a local school and share why it’s cool to protect skin from a young age and keep it healthy and glowing. Why not ask? kali9/E+/getty images
How Can Parents Nudge for Change?
Parents and school faculty can partner with students to advocate for their states to pass SUNucate legislation regulations and spread awareness of guidelines developed by the CDC to promote skin cancer prevention on school property and elsewhere. These guidelines emphasize the importance of helping students to understand their skin type and personalize how to choose the right sunscreen and reapply it regularly. Sunscreen alone isn’t enough, though, so helping kids find sun-protective gear and behavior that works to protect their skin type is key. They want kids to understand that tanning is dangerous, whether outside or in a tanning bed.
It’s also essential to emphasize that skin cancer can affect anyone, regardless of skin color. Even without a burn, sun exposure raises skin cancer risk. Many people and especially kids don’t realize even if you have a dark skin tone that doesn’t redden, the sun can cause cellular damage, leading to skin cancer.
While people of color are less likely to be at risk for skin cancer, when it does occur, it is often diagnosed at a later stage and can be more challenging to treat. Dr. Council recommends, “Regardless of skin tone, everyone should generously apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to all exposed skin, including the face, ears, neck and the tops of the feet. Reapplying every two hours, or more often if swimming or sweating, is crucial.” (The Skin Cancer Foundation now recommends SPF 50 or higher for any extended outdoor activity.)
How Can Your Kids’ School Assist?
Dr. Council calls out additional ways schools can play a vital role in promoting sun safety by implementing sun-safe policies, incorporating education into the curriculum and creating environments to help protect young people from the harmful effects of the sun. For example:
- Design outdoor spaces with shade.
- Schedule outdoor activities during times when the sun is not at its peak intensity.
- Encourage students to wear sun-protective clothing, hats and sunglasses during outdoor activities.
- Allow kids to carry and use a sunscreen they like, especially when they need to reapply on exposed skin.
Schools and PTA groups can also take advantage of proven skin cancer prevention interventions and educational programs that are available for child-care centers and schools. Dr. Council points out that many dermatologists are willing to come to schools to provide educational materials and sunscreen samples and to let students and faculty know if any free skin cancer screenings will take place in the area.
How Can the ASDSA Help?
The association can help coordinate these efforts and link schools with local dermatologic surgeon members. Visit asds.net/sunucate for tips. With these measures, parents can feel reassured that their children are in good hands regarding sun safety.
Their model legislation allows students to possess and use sunscreen at school and day camps without a prescription or physician’s note. This includes optional enabling clauses that permit the use of sun-safe clothing (long-sleeved shirts and hats) and incorporating sun-safe behavior into school curriculum.
By embracing these practices, young people can enjoy the benefits of outdoor activities while protecting their skin for years to come. Let’s work together to prioritize sun safety and ensure a bright, glowing future for our children’s skin!
About the author
Elaine D’Farley, former beauty director of Self magazine, is a mom, writer and content creator who loves spending time outside in sunny locales directing shoots and practicing sun safety.
