UV Protection Is Good Business: Don’t Fry Day Strategies for Nurse Entrepreneurs
Sun safety is a critical component of dermatologic care for all skin types, yet it remains a particularly urgent issue in communities of color. Despite the natural photoprotective effects of melanin, patients with melanin-rich skin remain at risk for skin cancer, and their unique needs are often overlooked in prevention messaging, clinical assessment, and research. As a result, melanoma and other skin cancers are frequently diagnosed later in these populations, contributing to poorer outcomes. Many nurses and nurse practitioners lack tailored resources and training to effectively educate and care for patients of color on sun protection and skin cancer prevention. Here, I outline the science behind melanin’s role in UV protection, clarify common misconceptions, and emphasize the importance of tinted sunscreens formulated specifically for skin of color. Additionally, I present actionable DNP project ideas, PhD research topics, and entrepreneurial opportunities aimed at bridging this gap. Finally, I highlight the role of the Society of Dermatology Nurse Practitioners (SDNP) in partnership with organizations like the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention, which continues to elevate public awareness through toolkits, clinician resources, and advocacy. As nurses and nurse practitioners, we are uniquely positioned to lead these efforts by integrating culturally appropriate care, education, and innovation.
Background and Significance
Skin cancer remains the most common cancer in the United States, affecting nearly one in five Americans over their lifetime. While lighter skin tones have a higher incidence of skin cancer, patients with darker skin experience a disproportionately high rate of delayed diagnosis, advanced disease at presentation, and worse survival. This disparity is rooted not in biology alone but in systemic gaps, including limited public health messaging tailored to skin of color, underrepresentation in dermatology nursing research, and clinical training focused primarily on lighter skin presentations.
Melanin, produced by melanocytes and stored in melanosomes, provides a degree of natural photoprotection with an estimated SPF of 13 in darker skin compared to 3–4 in lighter skin. However, this natural protection is not absolute; cumulative UV exposure, sunburns, and visible light exposure contribute to DNA damage and carcinogenesis regardless of skin tone. Furthermore, pigmentary disorders such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and melasma, which disproportionately affect people with melanin-rich skin, can be exacerbated by UV and visible light, underscoring the clinical importance of why dermatology and aesthetic nurse practitioners (NPs) should recommended tinted sunscreens.
Despite these risks, sun safety campaigns often exclude communities of color, reinforcing harmful myths that darker skin is immune to UV damage. Nurse practitioners and clinicians are uniquely positioned to lead change by incorporating culturally responsive education, improving early detection through tailored clinical assessments, and advancing research and innovation in photoprotection products.
Implications for Cosmetic and Dermatology Nurse Practitioners:
Aesthetic Nurse Practitioners play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between beauty and skin health. As trusted experts in cosmetic procedures, aesthetic NPs are uniquely positioned to educate clients about the risks of UV exposure and the importance of sun safety, an often-overlooked aspect of skincare in aesthetic settings. Incorporating sun protection counseling into consultations, pre- and post-procedure care, and skincare product recommendations not only improves clinical outcomes but also reinforces the NP's role as a comprehensive skin health provider. This is especially critical for patients with skin of color, who may mistakenly believe they are not at risk for sun damage or skin cancer. By proactively promoting evidence-based sun safety practices, aesthetic NPs can lead with both artistry and advocacy, ensuring beauty is never achieved at the cost of long-term skin health.
Clinical Pearls for Dermatology and Aesthetic NPs
Nurse Practitioners in dermatology and aesthetics are uniquely positioned to integrate sun protection education into both medical and cosmetic encounters. From pre-procedure consultations to skincare product recommendations, Don’t Fry Day is a timely reminder to merge beauty with prevention.
Key Teaching Points to Share with Aesthetic Patients of Color
“You still need sunscreen.” Melanin offers partial UV protection but does not block all harmful rays, especially visible light.
“Post-treatment care must include sun protection.” After chemical peels, lasers, and microneedling, patients are more vulnerable to UV-induced hyperpigmentation and skin cancer.
“Tinted sunscreen prevents both discoloration and long-term damage.” Products with iron oxides can protect against visible light that triggers melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).
“Monthly skin checks are for everyone.” Acral lentiginous melanoma, common in skin of color, often appears in less-pigmented areas like palms, soles, and nail beds.
3-Step Clinical Implementation Plan
1. Build an Inclusive Post-Procedure Protocol Kit
Include sample-sized tinted sunscreens in discharge instructions. Partner with Simply Shady, Buttah, and AbsoluteJOI by Dr. Anne, to offer shade-inclusive protection.
2. Use Culturally Affirming Scripts in Aesthetic Consults
Example: “This sunscreen not only protects your skin but also helps prevent the discoloration many patients with melanated skin experience after treatments.”
3. Document Full-Skin Exams as Standard Aesthetic Practice
Even during cosmetic visits, include scalp, nail, and acral skin assessments. Use images of diverse skin tones to reinforce trust and education.
Aesthetic Nurse Practitioners are uniquely positioned to address gaps in skin cancer prevention and post-procedure care for patients with melanin-rich skin. DNP students can design impactful projects that merge clinical excellence with equity-driven innovation. Below are examples of three distinct project types: Quality Improvement, Evidence-Based Practice, and Policy-Focused, tailored to the aesthetics setting.
Project Type 1: Quality Improvement (QI)
Title: Embedding Skin Cancer Prevention in Aesthetic Pre-Treatment Protocols for Skin of Color
Aim: To improve adherence to sun safety education and practices before and after aesthetic procedures.
Description: This QI project focuses on enhancing clinical workflow by embedding a standardized UV risk assessment and sun protection counseling checklist into pre-treatment intake forms. It targets reduced rates of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and improves patient understanding of sun risks.
Setting: MedSpa or dermatology aesthetic clinic
Metrics: Audit sunscreen recommendation rates, PIH incidence, and patient-reported adherence to sun safety guidance.
Project Type 2: Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)
Title: Implementing a Culturally Responsive Sun Safety Toolkit in a MedSpa Setting
Aim: To integrate best practices from the literature on sun protection for skin of color into aesthetic patient education.
Description: This EBP project involves critically appraising the literature and translating findings into a toolkit with visuals, aftercare cards, tinted sunscreen samples, and staff training modules. The intervention focuses on reducing disparities in sun-related complications post-laser, chemical peels, and microneedling.
Setting: Multicultural urban or rural MedSpa
Outcomes: Knowledge scores pre- and post-intervention; patient satisfaction with educational materials; uptake of tinted sunscreen post-procedure.
Project Type 3: Policy-Focused
Title: Integrating Full-Skin Cancer Risk Assessments into Aesthetic NP Practice
Aim: To develop and advocate for policy that mandates skin cancer risk screening as part of aesthetic consultations, especially for skin of color populations.
Description: This policy-focused project proposes a standardized protocol for full-skin assessments and melanoma risk screening in all new patient visits in aesthetic settings. The project includes stakeholder interviews, practice guideline alignment, and a proposal for state or organizational policy changes.
Setting: Private practices or national and local NP organizations
Impact: Influence policy adoption through advocacy briefs, professional organization toolkits, and continuing education credit initiatives.
Step-by-Step: From Idea to Implementation
1. Problem Identification
Review literature on UV damage, melanoma detection delays, and aesthetic-related PIH in patients with skin of color.
2. Needs Assessment
Distribute surveys or conduct interviews with patients and staff to assess gaps in knowledge, beliefs, and current practices.
3. Intervention Design
Co-create a culturally tailored intervention, whether a checklist, toolkit, or screening policy, based on stakeholder feedback.
o Publication in journals like: Journal of American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Journal of Dermatology Nurses' Association, Journal of Aesthetic Nursing, Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology's NP + PA Perspectives in Dermatology
o CEU webinars or toolkits for clinical peers
PhD Nurse Research Opportunities
Aesthetic settings offer untapped potential for nurse scientists to explore how UV damage, melanin biology, and consumer behavior intersect, especially among underrepresented groups.
Priority Research Gaps
• Effectiveness of pre- and post-procedure sun safety messaging
• Role of tinted sunscreen in preventing aesthetic-related hyperpigmentation
• UV exposure risks after minimally invasive cosmetic procedures
• Longitudinal skin cancer risk in frequent aesthetic service users with skin of color
Suggested Dissertation Topics
• “Cosmetic Procedures and Skin Cancer Risk in Melanin-Rich Populations: A Mixed Methods Analysis”
• “Melanated Beauty, Hidden Danger: Exploring UV Knowledge Gaps in Aesthetic Clients of Color”
Steps to Launch Your Research
1. Build a Multidisciplinary Advisory Team
Include dermatology NPs, estheticians, cosmetic chemists, and patients with lived experience.
2. Apply for Funding
Explore aesthetic industry foundations, dermatology societies, or NIH skin cancer prevention initiatives.
3. Translate Your Findings
Publish in peer-reviewed journals as aforementioned. Turn data into accessible infographics for clinical or consumer use.
UV Protection Is Good Business: Don’t Fry Day Strategies for Nurse Entrepreneurs
Don’t Fry Day isn’t just a public health observance, it’s a strategic opportunity for nurse entrepreneurs to position themselves as leaders in both clinical excellence and consumer education. With skin of color populations often underserved in sun protection messaging and product offerings, there’s a critical market gap that aesthetic and dermatology NPs can ethically and innovatively fill.
Here’s how to turn advocacy into aligned income:
• Launch a Limited-Time Sun Safety Offer: Use Don’t Fry Day to promote a seasonal package, e.g., post-procedure skin care kits featuring tinted sunscreen, hyperpigmentation serums, and educational inserts.
• Host a Skin Health Pop-Up or Workshop: Partner with local beauty, wellness brands, churches, universities, and small businesses to offer skin checks, sunscreen demos, and education tailored to Black and Brown communities.
• Create a Digital Product or Downloadable Guide: Educate clients with a lead magnet like “Top 5 Sun Safety Myths in Skin of Color, and What to Do Instead,” collecting emails while building trust.
• Offer a Don’t Fry Day Flash Sale on Services or Retail: Curate skin-safe, NP-recommended sun protection items and offer a one-day bundle, reminding clients that prevention is part of aesthetic outcomes.
• Pitch to Media or Podcasts: Don’t Fry Day is a great PR hook, submit a media kit or offer to speak on the intersection of sun safety, health equity, and beauty in skin of color.
Pro Tip: Use this annual awareness day to not just educate, but also differentiate. Build authority by showing your practice doesn't just chase trends, it champions outcomes.
Where Aesthetics Meets Advocacy
The gap in photoprotection for melanin-rich skin isn’t just a clinical issue, it’s a market opportunity for NP entrepreneurs blending beauty, wellness, and equity.
Innovative Business Ideas
• The “Glow Smart” Post-Treatment Kit
A customizable take-home kit for medspa clients including SPF, tinted sunscreen samples, and an aftercare guide in diverse skin tones.
• Sun Safety Digital Course: Beauty Meets Prevention
Teach patients, NPs, and estheticians how to incorporate photoprotection into everyday routines and services.
• Pop-Up Skin Cancer Screenings at Aesthetic Clinics
Host events that combine beauty demos with skin health education.
• Co-Develop Tinted SPF Products with Inclusive Brands
Partner with labs, estheticians, or chemists to formulate sunscreens tailored to undertones and post-procedure sensitivities.
Startup Checklist for Nurse Entrepreneurs
1. Validate Your Idea
Poll aesthetic clients, your members, or Instagram followers about their sun protection habits and barriers.
2. Create a Lean MVP
Use Canva and ChatGPT to draft a digital aftercare guide with curated SPF product links.
3. Build Awareness Around Awareness Days
Tie product or service launches to Don’t Fry Day or Skin Cancer Awareness Month.
4. Activate Strategic Partnerships
Use affiliate programs or co-branding opportunities with sun care companies aligned with your mission.
The Role of SDNP in Dermatology Nurse Leadership
The Society of Dermatology Nurse Practitioners (SDNP) plays a key role in addressing gaps in dermatology knowledge and representation. From certification preparation to ongoing CE opportunities, SDNP offers the support needed to become a leader in dermatologic care, especially for underrepresented populations.
Why SDNP Matters:
• Advocates for advanced dermatology training in NP education
• Hosts evidence-based, clinically rich conferences like the SDNP Annual Meeting
NEW: Sun Safety Awareness Initiative
As part of their commitment to public health, SDNP has joined forces with the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention to promote Don’t Fry Day, observed this year on May 23rd. SDNP encourages members to use the Don’t Fry Day Toolkit, a free resource designed to increase awareness about sun safety and skin cancer prevention. Check your email!
This comprehensive toolkit includes:
• Pre-written social media posts and educational messages
• A downloadable flyer and slide presentation for community outreach
• Press release templates, proclamation requests, and sample messaging
• Infographics in English and Spanish
• A custom Canva frame to share your sun-safe style
Members are encouraged to adapt these materials to best meet the needs of their communities, whether through educational events, online content, or advocacy efforts. Students can join for free! My advice? Don't just join, get involved! Lend your time and talent to expand our practice and community's impact.
Remember: Don’t Fry Day comes once a year, but sun safety is a year-round priority.
• Join SDNP and attend events centered on advancing dermatological care.
• Use the SDNP platform to present your DNP project or PhD research.
• Get involved in SDNP committees focused on education, clinical practice, and public health advocacy.
• Use the Don’t Fry Day Toolkit to educate your patients and community on sun safety and the prevention of skin cancer.
Final Thoughts: You Are the Change Agent
Don’t Fry Day is more than a catchy slogan, it’s an invitation. An invitation for nurse practitioners to educate, advocate, innovate, and lead. Whether you’re at the bedside, building a business, pursuing a doctorate, or mentoring others, your voice matters in closing the sun safety gap. Let’s build a future where every patient sees their skin, their risks, and their beauty reflected in the standard of care.
Kimberly Madison, DNP, AGPCNP-BC, WCC
I am a Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner, educator, and author dedicated to advancing dermatology nursing education and research with an emphasis on skin of color. As the founder of Mahogany Dermatology Nursing | Education | Research, I aim to expand access to dermatology research, business acumen, and innovation using artificial intelligence and augmented reality while also leading professional groups and mentoring clinicians. Through engaging and informative social media content and peer-reviewed research, I empower nurses and healthcare professionals to excel in dermatology and improve patient care.
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