The percentage of teens that use sunscreen has declined over the past 10 years despite warnings about the dangers of skin cancer.

Researchers at William Paterson University in New Jersey say the percentage of teens using sunscreen declined from nearly 68 percent in 2001 to just over 56 percent in 2011.

"It was disturbing to see that it's declined, so it's not only that not a lot of kids are using it, but it's diminishing," says Professor Corey Basch at  William Paterson University in New jersey.

It's not just the lack of wearing sunscreen that is concerning too many kids are also visiting tanning beds according to Basch. She says it is mainly white teenage girls who are visiting tanning salons and the older they get the more they frequent the business.

The worry highlights the issue of teens not getting the message about protecting their skin. Basch says as a result there has been an increase in the number of people with skin cancer.