Neutrogena Encourages Americans to Re-evaluate Sun Protection Habits

LOS ANGELES, March 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Neutrogena®, the #1 dermatologist recommended suncare brand, today responded to a recently published study on the rising incidence of non-melanoma skin cancers by urging Americans to re-evaluate their sun protection habits.  The study, "Incidence Estimate of Non-melanoma Skin Cancer in the United States, 2006," Archives of Dermatology, 2010; 146(3), 283-287, published in the current issue of Archives of Dermatology, confirms for the first time that there is an epidemic of non-melanoma skin cancer in the US.

"At Neutrogena we are committed to reducing the significant increase in all skin cancers and continued consumer education efforts on the risks of sun exposure," said Jim Colleran, President of Neutrogena Corporation. "Now that skin cancer has been identified as a national epidemic, we urge consumers to receive an annual skin exam, regularly perform skin self exams and protect their skin from the sun everyday to ensure a lifetime of skin health," said Colleran.  

The study examined the number of skin cancers in the Medicare population between 1992 and 2006 and concluded that, due to a dramatic increase in the total number of procedures to treat skin cancers during these years, skin cancer has reached an epidemic level in the United States.  To address this epidemic, the study's authors urge continued education, prevention and research.      

"We know that consumers are falling short of adequately protecting themselves because they aren't applying the dermatologist-recommended one ounce of sunscreen that is needed to cover the entire body," said Dr. Darrell S. Rigel, MD, Clinical Professor of Dermatology at New York University Medical Center and Neutrogena consultant. "Under-application of sunscreen can translate to having significantly less sun protection than the SPF value on the label," he added.  According to Dr. Rigel, the newly published research underscores the critical importance of effective protection.

Neutrogena remains dedicated to reducing the millions of expected non-melanoma skin cancers by offering sun protection products for every age, season and lifestyle.  In 2009, the company conducted a survey of Americans' sun protection habits and learned that although 80% of adults surveyed indicated they recognized sun exposure could be deadly, the majority of Americans are not wearing sunscreen.  The survey also revealed that most adults (70%) report getting sunburned at least once per year.  These Neutrogena survey findings echo the recommendation of the study's authors who stress continued education as a measure to control the epidemic of skin cancer.  

About Neutrogena

A worldwide leader in premium, dermatologist-recommended skin, hair and cosmetics products, Neutrogena Corporation has been providing consumers with health and beauty improvements for over 40 years.  The Company manufactures and markets a line of premium-priced skin and hair care products that are distributed in more than 70 countries.  Headquartered in Los Angeles, Neutrogena is a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, the world's most comprehensive and broadly based health care products company.

(This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements are based on current expectations of future events.  If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from Neutrogena's and/or Johnson & Johnson's expectations and projections.  Risks and uncertainties include general industry conditions and competition; economic conditions, such as interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; technological advances and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approvals; domestic and foreign health care reforms and governmental laws and regulations; and trends toward health care cost containment.  A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Exhibit 99 of Johnson & Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2010.  Copies of this Form 10-K, as well as subsequent filings, are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson.  Neither Neutrogena nor Johnson & Johnson undertake to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments.)

(i) Rogers, MD, PhD, H, Weinstock, MD, PhD, M, Harris, Ashlynne, Hinckley, MD, M, Feldman, MD, S, Fleischer, MD, A, & Coldiron, MD, B. (2010). "Incidence estimate of non-melanoma skin cancer in the united states, 2006". Archives of Dermatology, 146(3), 283-287.

SOURCE Neutrogena