BACKGROUND Latinos with tattoos are a growing demographic but their attitudes about skin cancer are generally unknown. With increased rates of skin cancer in the Latino community, this subpopulation presents a unique opportunity for a targeted public health campaign. OBJECTIVE To explore the demographics, skin cancer knowledge, sun safety behaviors, social media use, and willingness to learn about sun protection of Latinos with tattoos. METHODS Interviews with 25 participants were conducted. Data was coded by a third party. Thematic analysis identified recurrent sub-themes from the transcript. RESULTS No participants had a history of skin cancer; only 28% knew someone with skin cancer. Fifteen (60%) endorsed never, rarely, or only seasonal sunscreen use and 20% utilized sunscreen on their tattoos only. Nearly all (92%) had two or more tattoos. All used social media and a majority followed tattoo artists. CONCLUSIONS Latinos with tattoos are a growing demographic that demonstrate suboptimal sun protective behaviors. Education efforts enlisting tattoo artists and social media could optimize sun protective behaviors in this group.
