Drinking in the sun can make you unaware that you are getting sunburnt. (STEKLO/Shutterstock)
In a nutshell
Drinking alcohol increases the likelihood of sunburn. In a nationally representative study, 21.5% of sunburned individuals reported drinking alcohol at the time, likely due to impaired judgment, reduced sunscreen reapplication, and longer sun exposure
Sunburn risk is highest among young, male, and wealthy individuals. The study found that younger adults (18-39), men, and people with higher incomes were significantly more likely to experience sunburns, challenging the assumption that wealthier or more educated individuals are more protected
Frequent sunburns drastically raise skin cancer risk. Just five blistering sunburns before age 20 increase melanoma risk by 80%, making sun protection—like using sunscreen, seeking shade, and wearing protective clothing—essential for long-term skin health
BOCA RATON, Fla. — When was the last time you got a sunburn? If you’re like nearly a third of American adults who were toasted by the sun at least once last year, you might want to pay attention to a revealing new study about skin cancer risk. Researchers from Florida Atlantic University have found some eye-opening patterns in how Americans think about cancer risk and protect their skin—or don’t.
Your beach cocktail might be making your sunburn worse. Research published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine reveals that more than one in five people who got sunburned were drinking alcohol at the time. In other words, there seems to be a real connection between having drinks and getting burned.
The Skin Cancer Problem You Need to Know About
Skin cancer tops the charts as America’s most common cancer. Millions of cases are diagnosed every year, costing the healthcare system nearly $9 billion annually. While most of us have heard of melanoma (the deadliest type), basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are actually more common.
What do these common skin cancer types look like on the skin?
Basal cell carcinoma shows up as shiny bumps or pinkish patches
Squamous cell carcinoma appears as red, scaly patches or open sores
Melanoma often looks like an unusual mole or changes to an existing one
Despite how common skin cancer is, the study found most Americans aren’t particularly worried about getting it. Only about 10% of people said they were “extremely worried,” while most were just “somewhat” (28.3%) or “slightly” (27.3%) concerned.
Sunburns significantly raise your cancer risk. According to dermatologists, getting just five blistering sunburns between ages 15 and 20 increases your melanoma risk by a whopping 80%. That’s a massive jump from something many people experience regularly.
Who Gets Burned? The Surprising Patterns
Experiencing five or more severe sunburns between the ages of 15 and 20 increases the risk of melanoma by 80% and nonmelanoma skin cancer by 68%. (Credit: Alex Dolce, Florida Atlantic University)
The research team surveyed over 6,000 American adults about their sun habits and sunburn experiences. Rich people get more sunburns. Yes, you read that correctly. People earning $200,000+ per year were four times more likely to report sunburns than those in the lowest income bracket. This completely flips what you might expect: wouldn’t wealthier people be more informed and have better access to sun protection?
Education doesn’t help either. College graduates and those with advanced degrees reported more sunburns than people with a high school diploma or less.
Other patterns:
Young adults (18-39) burn more often than older folks
Men get more sunburns than women
White Americans report more sunburns than Black or Hispanic Americans
“While Hispanics and Black Americans generally report lower rates of sunburn, Hispanics often perceive greater benefits of UV exposure, which increases their risk,” says study author Lea Sacca, in a statement.
Why might wealthy, educated people get more sunburns? They probably spend more time on outdoor vacations or leisure activities. Think about it: boating, skiing, beach vacations, and outdoor sports are all activities more accessible to those with higher incomes and more flexible work schedules.
Booze and Burns: The Hidden Connection
Outdoor activities in the sun often go hand-in-hand with sipping on cocktails, but it may not be the best decision for your skin. (Photo by Mariia Boiko on Shutterstock)
Among the sunburned group, more than one in five (21.5%) admitted they were drinking alcohol at the time. After a couple of drinks, you’re less likely to remember to reapply sunscreen. You might misjudge how long you’ve been outside. You might fall asleep on your beach towel.
Other common activities during sunburn episodes included working outside (11.3%), swimming (10.1%), and exercising (7.3%). Many people (42.9%) were multitasking when they got burned.
Smart Sun Strategies
With what we now know about sunburn risks, how can you better protect yourself? Here are some practical tips:
Sunscreen isn’t enough on its own. Choose broad-spectrum protection with SPF 30 or higher, apply it 15-30 minutes before going outside, and reapply every two hours.
Watch your timing. UV rays peak between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Try to limit direct sun during these hours.
Cover up. Wear long sleeves, pants, wide-brimmed hats, and UV-blocking sunglasses when possible.
Seek shade. Umbrellas, trees, or other shelters can dramatically reduce your UV exposure.
Skip the tanning bed.Indoor tanning dramatically increases skin cancer risk with no health benefits.
Check your skin. Look for new spots or changes to existing moles using the ABCDE rule: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color changes, Diameter increases, and Evolution (changes over time).
Be extra careful around water, snow, and sand. These surfaces reflect and intensify the sun’s rays.
Stay hydrated.Proper hydration supports skin health.
Why This Matters
Based on this new research, maybe think twice about that beach cocktail. If you’re drinking while outdoors, be extra vigilant about reapplying sunscreen and seeking shade. Your future skin will thank you.
Public safety officials may want to reconsider where they market sun safety. Beach bars, pool parties, and outdoor festivals might be ideal places for reminders. Education campaigns may need to specifically target higher-income groups who, contrary to expectations, experience more sunburns.
“Future research should explore how additional social determinants of health influence sunburn incidence and prevention behaviors,” says study author Madison Etzel from Florida Atlantic University. “A deeper understanding of these factors is critical to addressing the widespread harms of skin cancer.”
No matter who you are, sun protection matters. And maybe sipping on a cocktail isn’t doing your skin any favors. Next time you’re heading out for a day in the sun, stay on top of your SPF and keep an eye on your drink count. Your skin’s health might depend on both.
Paper Summary
Methodology
The research team analyzed data from the 2022 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS 6), a nationally representative survey conducted by the National Cancer Institute. They collected responses from 6,252 adults across the United States using a two-stage sampling strategy that included both online and paper responses in English and Spanish. The survey asked about cancer risk perceptions, sun sensitivity, and sunburn experiences, along with demographic information.
Results
Among participants, 30.3% reported having 1-5 sunburns in the past year, while 2.1% experienced six or more. When asked about their confidence in managing their health, 44% felt very confident and 27.3% felt completely confident. Only 9.7% reported being extremely worried about getting cancer. The multinomial regression analysis revealed higher sunburn risk among younger adults, males, those with higher education and income, and White Americans. Of those reporting sunburns, 21.5% were drinking alcohol at the time.
Limitations
The cross-sectional nature of the study prevents establishing direct cause-and-effect relationships. The sample was predominantly White (70.3%) and non-Hispanic (82.2%), which may affect how well the findings apply to all population groups. Survey responses rely on participants’ honesty and accurate recall, which can be affected by social desirability bias and memory limitations.
Discussion and Takeaways
The study highlights the need for targeted public health interventions addressing skin cancer risk across demographic groups. The connection between alcohol consumption and sunburn suggests potential areas for prevention efforts. Understanding the socioeconomic factors influencing sun protection behaviors could help shape more effective education campaigns. The researchers emphasize that future studies should further explore how social determinants of health affect sunburn incidence and prevention practices.
Funding and Disclosures
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, or publication of their article. They reported receiving no financial support for the research.
Publication Information
The study, titled “Examining U.S. Adults Risk Perceptions and Skin Protection Behaviors Using the 2022 HINTS Database,” was published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine in 2025. The research team from Florida Atlantic University’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine included Madison Etzel (first author), Nada Eldawy, Sahar Kaleem, Austin Lent, Adrienne Dean, Ayden Dunn, Paige Brinzo, Samantha Jimenez, and Lea Sacca (senior author).