L’Oreal USA to donate $1 million-plus to sun-safety campaign

NEW YORK Beauty company L’Oreal USA has announced that it will support the Women’s Dermatologic Society Foundation by granting more than $1 million over a three-year period for the foundation’s Play Safe in the Sun campaign, effective in April.

“Safety and education have always been our first priority,” stated Laurent Attal, president and chief executive officer of L’Oreal USA. “The Women’s Dermatologic Society’s Play Safe in the Sun campaign aligns with our goal of educating the public on the dangers of sun exposure and what people can do to protect themselves against harmful effects of UVA/UVB rays. We are pleased to support the WDS in this important endeavor.”

The mission of the WDS campaign, which will be supported through funding from L’Oreal USA, is to educate, encourage and empower women athletes and outdoor sports enthusiasts to maintain healthy skin and hair by promoting sun safety and optimal skin care practices.

The campaign will target female participants and spectators in the fields of golf and tennis, who face a heightened risk of developing skin cancer due to prolonged periods of cumulative sun exposure.

Community outreach will take place at various venues in select cities hosting these outdoor sporting events. Local WDS members will reach out to the public on location with free skin cancer screenings conducted by board-certified dermatologists licensed in that state. Volunteer dermatologists will also provide photo damage assessments using an ultra-violet reflectance camera and skin scanner unit, which reveals the sun damaged areas of the face. In addition, educational materials will be distributed and free sunscreen samples will be provided to the public.

Skin cancer continues to be the most common and most preventable form of cancer in the United States. Melanoma rates among women are rising, and it is the second most common cancer in women aged 25 to 29.