Sun Safety Education: What Every Beauty Pro NEEDS to be Telling Clients This Summer

Did you know that just five sunburns in your lifetime could double your risk of skin cancer? As a beauty professional, you probably understand the effects of prolonged UV exposure—but what about your clients?

Nowadays more than ever, client safety extends beyond the cosmetic. And professionals, such as yourself, often find themselves in positions that play a crucial role in promoting sun safety and skin health. So whether you’re a hair stylist, massage therapist, nail technician, or spray tan artist, understanding sun protection and after-sun care is essential for keeping your clients healthy and educated!

Before we go any further, let’s take a moment to break down what Sun Protection Factor (SPF) actually is plus why it’s essential that your clients understand its role in protecting their skin.

Importance of SPF Awareness

SPF isn’t just a beach-day box to tick. It’s a daily defense against the cumulative effects of sun exposure. Ultraviolet (UV) rays can even penetrate clouds and windows, which means your skin is still vulnerable even on overcast days or during indoor activities near sunlight. Educating clients about using sun protection helps them take proactive steps to prevent premature aging, sunburns, and, most importantly, skin cancer.

So what should you do? Well, you can start by encouraging clients to choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and apply it generously every morning—reapplying every two hours if they’re outdoors.¹ A little gentle parenting can go a long way! Be sure to highlight commonly missed areas to your clients too, like the ears, back of the neck, scalp (especially along part lines), and the tops of the feet.

As a beauty pro, reinforcing this habit in everyday conversations adds even more meaningful value to the services you provide.

After-Sun Care Tips

Sun-kissed skin needs a little extra love. After spending time outdoors, it’s important to help your skin recover and stay healthy. Encourage clients to hydrate inside and out, using nourishing moisturizers and drinking plenty of water to replenish what was lost under the sun.

To reduce irritation or dryness, steer them toward calming products and gentle care routines. Skip anything harsh or exfoliating for a few days and focus instead on soothing and protecting the skin barrier.

Caring for sun-exposed skin doesn’t stop after a few days of recovery. Beyond immediate soothing, you have a unique opportunity to support your clients’ overall skin health with long-term awareness and education.

Long-Term Skin Health

Encouraging clients to think beyond the surface is key to promoting lasting skin wellness. While you can’t diagnose conditions, you still play a vital role in early detection by staying alert to unusual moles, discoloration, or changes in the skin. A simple suggestion to follow up with a dermatologist can make a huge difference for a client.

You might also consider deepening your impact by taking skin cancer awareness courses! These trainings provide knowledge for educating clients about early warning signs—especially in areas like the face, neck, shoulders, and scalp that are frequently exposed during treatments. Proactive education and awareness are powerful tools for long-term client care!

Practical Application in Various Services

Sun safety education doesn’t need to be a separate conversation—it can be seamlessly woven into the services you already provide. As beauty professionals, your unique access to clients’ skin, scalp, and nails puts you in a powerful position to promote awareness and encourage preventative care. Here's how different roles in the industry can incorporate sun-safe practices into everyday appointments.

Hair Stylists

Hair professionals are in a unique position to observe areas that clients often overlook—like the scalp, hairline, and nape. By staying attentive to any unusual moles, redness, or flaky patches, stylists can gently encourage clients to seek a dermatologist’s opinion when something seems off.

Spray Tan Artists

While many clients seek a sun-kissed glow, it’s essential to reinforce the importance of proper SPF use, even in indoor tanning alternatives. Spray tan artists can educate clients on full-body sun protection and remind them that sunless tanning does not equal sun protection, especially for those still using UV tanning beds.

Massage Therapists

Massage sessions offer a rare, up-close view of a client’s back, shoulders, and legs, which are all common spots for early skin cancer signs. Massage therapists can take note of any unusual skin changes and suggest a medical checkup if needed, all while staying within their scope of practice.

Nail Technicians

Nail techs regularly see the hands, feet, and nail beds—areas where melanoma can sometimes develop undetected. By paying attention to any discoloration, thickening, or abnormalities in the skin and nails, techs can help raise awareness and promote early medical follow-up when appropriate.

Whether you’re working with skin, hair, or nails, every beauty pro has an opportunity to make a difference. And when it comes to sun safety, that difference can be life-changing.

Safe Skin, Safe Business

Sun safety isn’t an add-on, it’s merely part of providing smart, responsible care. When you take the time to educate clients about UV protection, you help prevent damage, extend treatment results, and build relationships built on lasting trust. Ultimately, these conversations show clients that wellness goes beyond the service itself.

So, make sun safety part of your routine, and you’ll be on your way to becoming a trusted guide in your clients’ long-term skin health.

Sources:

1. https://www.coppertone.com