"Sun safety doesn't have to be fear-based to be serious." That's the realization Emily Chow had after interviewing dermatology professionals for The SunSun Podcast, and it's the insight that could reshape how we talk about UV protection with teens. Emily is a high school student from the Bay Area who created her podcast to bridge the gap between clinical dermatology and what actually resonates with her generation. In this piece, she shares what shifted for her after one conversation: the difference between lecturing about skin cancer and teaching risk reduction as a long-term public health habit. If you work with adolescent patients or create health education content, Emily's perspective offers something most clinical training doesn't: a window into why your message might not be landing, and how to fix it.
Most UV advice sounds like a lecture. One conversation helped me rethink what actually makes teens listen, and what “realistic” sun safety can look like.
Introduction / Background & Significance
Through sunsunpodcast, I’ve had the chance to speak with dermatology nurse practitioners, professors, researchers, and dermatologists, and every interview adds another layer to how I understand skin health. For my next Mahogany Dermatology piece, I wanted to “bring one interview to life,” not by repeating someone’s exact words, but by capturing what shifted for me afterward: the moment that surprised me, the behind-the-scenes feeling of recording, and what changed in the way I think about UV protection.
Because the truth is, most teens don’t ignore sun safety because they “don’t care.” They ignore it because the messaging often feels unrealistic.
Behind the Scenes: Recording It as a Teen
Before the call, I had my notes ready and thought it would sound very clinical, like I’d just be collecting facts. But the more we talked, the more I found myself writing down the practical framing instead of just the science.
I wasn’t thinking, “How do I turn this into a perfect article?” I was thinking, “How do I explain this to a friend my age without it sounding preachy?”
That was my first clue that this interview was going to stick.
The Moment That Changed My Mindset
There was one simple idea that made everything click: sun safety doesn’t have to be fear-based to be serious.
Instead of treating the sun like something to panic about, it helped to think of UV protection as risk reduction, the same way we do other everyday safety habits. Not perfection. Not paranoia. Just common sense choices that add up over time.
That framing matters because teens can smell “lecture energy” instantly. If it feels like doom, people tune out. If it feels doable, people listen.
What Surprised Me Most: Skin Cancer Prevention Is a Public Health Habit
One thing I walked away with is how much UV exposure is a public health issue simply because it’s built into normal life: outdoor sports, school commutes, beach days, weekend plans, concerts, vacations, and even quick errands.
And skin cancer isn’t a single, simple concept. There are multiple types with different levels of risk. That nuance made prevention feel more urgent and more grounded: protecting your skin isn’t about being dramatic, it’s about lowering risk across decades.
The San Francisco Trap: “Cloudy” Doesn’t Always Mean “Low UV”
Living in the Bay Area, it’s easy to associate danger with heat and sunshine. But UV doesn’t always match what the sky looks like. Even when it’s cool or overcast, you can still be exposed.
The habit I’m trying now: checking the UV Index when I check the weather. It’s quick, and it turns “guessing” into an actual data point. If the UV is higher than I expected, that’s my reminder to protect the areas that get the most consistent exposure, especially my face and neck.
Emily Chow, Founder sunsun podcast
Vitamin D and Sunscreen: Why Social Media Makes It Confusing
If you’re a teen on social media, you’ve probably heard some version of: “You need sun for vitamin D, so sunscreen is unhealthy.”
This is where I think the conversation needs to be calmer and more balanced. Vitamin D is important, but the way it’s discussed online can turn it into an oversimplified argument against protection. What changed for me is realizing that it doesn’t have to be a “pick one” situation. You can care about vitamin D while still practicing sun safety.
And as a content creator, it reminded me that how we discuss these topics matters as much as the topics themselves.
Sunscreen Isn’t One Thing, And That’s Why People Quit
A lot of teens don’t stop wearing sunscreen because they “don’t believe in it.” They stop because they hate the feeling, they hate the white cast, they break out, or they don’t want to reapply in public.
What helped me was thinking about sunscreen as a category with options, not one product you either tolerate or abandon.
My biggest takeaway: consistency beats the “perfect” product. If you won’t use one formula, switching to another type or format is still a win. Something you use is always better than something you own.
Sun Damage Isn’t Only About Cancer, It’s Also About Skin Structure
This part surprised me because it made UV feel more real than any statistic. UV exposure doesn’t just change pigment. Over time, it affects the skin’s support system, the deeper structures that keep skin resilient and smooth.
It also reminded me of something that’s easy to forget in teen beauty culture: many cosmetic trends focus on quick fixes, but they don’t rewrite long-term skin health. Prevention is the part that quietly protects your future self.
Why Teens Struggle With Sunscreen (It’s Not Just Laziness)
This interview also made me think more about the social side of prevention. For teens, so much comes down to image, convenience, and fitting in:
“I don’t want to look shiny.”
“I don’t want white cast.”
“I don’t want to be the only one reapplying.”
“It’s annoying.”
So if we want better habits, we can’t pretend those feelings don’t exist. We have to design messaging and routines that work with teen reality, not against it.
Implications for Adolescent Public Health Advocacy
This connects directly to what I’ve learned through youth advocacy: people don’t change because they were scolded. They change because the behavior feels achievable and socially normal.
That’s why I’m leaning harder into positive framing in my own content:
Protecting your skin is a long-term flex.
Avoiding burns is worth it.
You can still love the sun and be smart about it.
Fear might get attention, but practical optimism builds habits.
Practical Takeaways (Teen-Realistic Edition)
If you want to start simple, here’s what I’d tell a friend:
Add a hat/sunglasses when you remember, small upgrades matter
Aim for “most days,” not “perfect.”
Conclusion
This conversation stayed with me because it didn’t just teach information; it changed my approach. UV protection shouldn’t feel like a lecture. It should feel like something you can actually do while living a normal teen life. And if there’s one thing I’m taking into my next interviews and future episodes, it’s this: the best public health messaging meets people where they are, and helps them take one realistic step forward.
Educational only, not medical advice. For personal concerns, consult a board-certified dermatologist.
About the Author
Emily Chow is a high school student and public health advocate from the San Francisco Bay Area. She is the creator and host of the sunsun podcastwhere she interviews healthcare professionals about skin health, UV safety, and dermatology awareness. As a contributor to the Mahogany Dermatology Nursing | Education | Research™ platform, Emily brings a unique youth perspective to health promotion. Outside of writing and podcasting, she interns at the California Academy of Sciences and continues to pursue opportunities that combine education, health, and innovation.
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