This four-part series on skin cancer and melanoma awareness is presented by Mitchell Hanson and Angelo Landriscina MD in partnership with celebrity esthetician Ian Michael Crumm, the 2025 #GetNaked spokesperson for the Melanoma Research Foundation. Featuring expert insights from board-certified dermatologists, each article is designed to educate, empower, and inspire our community to prioritize skin health through prevention, early detection, and routine skin checks. Join Ian and the MRF in spreading the message: protect your skin, know the signs, and don’t wait to #GetNaked for your skin exam.
Who is Prone to Skin Cancer?
Most skin cancer happens because of too much ultraviolet (UV) light. This light comes from the sun and tanning beds. Other things can also make someone more likely to get skin cancer. People with lighter skin, freckles, or light-colored eyes (like green or blue) have a higher risk. People with blonde or red hair are also more likely to get skin cancer.
Family history is another important factor. If someone in your family has had skin cancer, or if you’ve had it before, your risk is higher. These risks are even more important to understand in the LGBTQ+ community, where some behaviors may lead to more sun exposure.
Tanning in the LGBTQ+ Community
Tanning can happen outside in the sun or indoors in tanning beds. Tanning beds use artificial light that gives off harmful UV rays. Studies show that gay and bisexual men are 3 to 6 times more likely to use tanning beds than straight men. Young gay and bisexual men also tan more outside.
Tanning exposes people to two types of UV rays:
- UVA rays cause wrinkles and make skin age faster. They can also contribute to skin cancer risk.
- UVB rays can lead to sunburn and are most responsible for skin cancer risk.
Beginning to tan at a young age raises the lifetime risk of developing skin cancer and increases the likelihood of continued tanning in later years.
Behaviors and Beliefs with Sun Protection
There are several ways to protect yourself from harmful UV rays, some of which gay men are more and less likely to use:
- Sunscreen:
- There are two main types of sunscreen:
- Mineral sunscreen turns UV rays into heat and reflects some UV rays. (it has ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide).
- Chemical sunscreen turns UV rays into heat.
- Studies show that gay men use sunscreen more often than straight men, but just wearing sunscreen isn’t enough. Many studies don’t look at how often it’s reapplied, how well it’s applied, or what type is used.
- There are two main types of sunscreen:
- Seeking shade:
- Staying in the shade, especially during the sun’s strongest hours (10 AM – 4 PM), helps protect the skin.
- Staying in the shade, especially during the sun’s strongest hours (10 AM – 4 PM), helps protect the skin.
- Wearing sun-protective clothing:
- Sun-protective clothing includes long sleeves, pants, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses.
- Some fabrics, like denim, naturally block UV rays, while others are made specifically for sun protection.
- Studies show that gay men wear sunscreen and seek shade more than straight men but are less likely to wear sun-protective clothing.
- Research comparing sunscreen to UV-protective fabrics found that clothing protects the skin better. Yet, sun-protective clothing has not become more popular over the last 30 years, unlike sunscreen use.
Sun protective clothing may immediately conjure images of long, uncomfortable, limiting clothes – but it doesn’t have to be, and we don’t want it to be. Dr. Landriscina agrees, replying to the sentiment, “I think it can be [sexy and attractive], but we definitely need more options. Most of what’s on the market tends to be designed as beachwear or for working out. With SOUL-A, I’m trying to provide fashionable and functional sun protective clothing that allows people to show off their sense of style while being sun smart.” He acknowledges the need for sun protective gear but is actively pushing for more fun, inclusive, alluring pieces so you can be protected year round, no matter the occasion.
Why Don’t More People in the LGBTQ+ Community Wear Sun-Protective Clothing?
One big reason might be body image and self-expression. The gay male community often places a strong focus on physical appearance. Some people feel pressure to look a certain way to fit in, leading to more tanning. For some, tanning is seen as making them look healthier or more attractive.
Naturally, it begs the questions of how do you freely express yourself and your body, while being sun safe then? To which Dr. Landriscina says, “There are options for sun protection that don’t involve wearing frumpy outfits. There are more and more sun protective clothes coming to market — including my own brand, SOUL-A, which are fashionable options that still protect from the sun. One can also show some skin while protecting it with sunscreen, avoiding the midday sun, and trying to seek shade whenever possible.”
Final Thoughts
Taking care of your skin doesn’t mean changing who you are. It means making smart choices—like using sunscreen correctly, finding shade, and wearing protective clothing when needed. Most skin cancer is preventable, and protecting yourself lets you keep showing up in the world as your best, healthiest self!
Dr. Landriscina was also asked what the biggest misconception about sun protection and what he wished to spread the word about, replying, “I wish patients knew that sun protection is a year-round, everyday practice. Many people feel that they shouldn’t be worried about UV exposure during the colder months, if it’s cloudy out or if they’re not spending time on the beach. UV radiation’s effect on skin cancer risk is cumulative, so sun protection should be a normal part of everyday life.”
Protect yourself today, everyday (and stay hotter and healthier, longer).
