Advantage:SKIN
Education, research, and court-side action to reduce sun damage and build lifelong protection habits.
Protect young athletes—on and off the court.
Advantage:SKIN is an educational initiative dedicated to junior tennis players. Our mission is to educate them about the risks of sun damage and help reduce their risk of developing skin cancer.
Understand UV exposure, skin cancer, and effective prevention.
Turn proven recommendations into practical tennis routines.
Bring education to families, coaches, schools, and academies.
Prevention starts young
Why it matters
Junior players spend hours outdoors during peak UV exposure.
Young athletes need clear, credible information they can use in real life—not just general advice. Advantage:SKIN connects trusted medical resources with the realities of practice, tournaments, travel, sweat, and long days on court.
Current projects
From San Diego to international tennis academies.
The original project archive remains intact. Each card opens the full story, photographs, and acknowledgments on AdvantageSkin.org.
Boris Becker International Academy
Our first international Junior Tennis Sun Protection and Skin Cancer Awareness Day.
View original projectEmilio Sánchez Academy
Sun-safety education for junior players at one of Europe’s leading tennis academies.
View original projectISDIN Laboratory Visit
Learning how sunscreen science can address the real barriers reported by young athletes.
View original projectBarnes Tennis Center
A Skin Cancer Awareness Day reaching more than 50 young players and their coaches.
View original projectEducational Banner Project
Court-side reminders designed to keep sun protection visible throughout the season.
View original projectBNP Paribas Open
Liam and Dr. Jens Thiele supported complimentary skin cancer screenings and sun-safety outreach in 2026.
Read the storyOur survey
Research shaped every part of this initiative.
The anonymous survey studied sun exposure, protective behavior, and skin-cancer awareness among competitive junior tennis players in Southern California. The work was published in Pediatric Dermatology on September 18, 2024.
Read the publicationplayed during peak sun-intensity hours
did not regularly wear sunscreen
did not routinely wear a hat or visor
wanted to learn more about skin cancer
Resources
Trusted guidance for safer days on court.
Explore practical information on skin cancer, sun protection, sunscreen, protective clothing, and healthy habits for young athletes.
Types of Skin Cancer
Trusted introductions to common skin cancers, melanoma, prevention, and treatment.
Sun Protection Tips
Practical guidance from the CDC, AAD, USTA, and leading skin-cancer organizations.
Sunscreens
How to select, apply, and reapply sunscreen—plus clear guidance from expert sources.
Sun-Protective Clothing
UPF clothing, sleeves, hats, and practical options for long days on court.
The Sun Hero Program
A ready-to-use sun-safety curriculum and educational kit for children.
Trusted organizations
Direct links to the experts
About us
Created by tennis players who saw a need.
Advantage:SKIN was founded in San Diego in 2022 by Mia and Liam Thiele, both USTA tennis players. What began as a question at local tournaments grew into published research, international outreach, and practical education for the next generation of athletes.