In your years as a parent, you probably spent lots of time putting sunscreen on your little ones and reminding your kids to protect their skin as they got older.
Now they’re teenagers and they may be following a popular but dangerous social media trend — sun tanning. Some online personalities are posting photos and videos of themselves tanning without protecting their skin and showing off tans without warning about the risks. TikTok has become a platform where influencers display their tanned skin as the ideal.
"There is a lot of misinformation and normalization of sun tanning on social media right now," said Jordan Abbott, MD, a dermatologist with Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Many teens believe myths about tanning. "Recently, my patients have shared that they read that tanning isn’t bad as long as you don’t burn and that everyone needs regular unprotected sun exposure for adequate vitamin D levels," Dr. Abbott said. These ideas are not true, but they spread quickly on social media.
“Sadly, influencers without a medical background have a larger voice and audience than doctors who spent 12 or more years in training and treating skin cancers daily,” Dr. Abbott said.
Risks of sun tanning without protection
“There is no such thing as a safe tan or a base tan that is protective. Tanning indicates the skin cells have been damaged, and they produce more pigment to try to protect themselves. Every time you tan, this damage occurs. Over time, it accumulates and increases your risk for developing skin cancer,” Dr. Abbott said.
But for teens, the allure of a sun-kissed glow today can overshadow the long-term health risks of sun exposure, especially since the risks might not be visible.
Tanning without sunscreen can:
- Damage your skin: Ultraviolet (UV) rays cause premature aging, wrinkles and dark spots. "There is no such thing as a safe tan or a base tan that is protective," Dr. Abbott said. Any tan means skin cells have been damaged.
- Lead to sunburns: Too much sun exposure can cause redness, pain and peeling.
- Increase your cancer risk: Too much sun can lead to skin cancer. "Each time you tan, you damage your skin. Over time, this damage builds up and increases your risk for developing skin cancer," Dr. Abbott said. The earlier your skin is exposed to the sun, the higher the risk.
"Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. Approximately one in five people in the United States develop skin cancer," she said.
Tanning beds are not a safe alternative. They give off strong UV rays, damage your skin and raise your cancer risk. They are just as harmful as the sun.
Why teens are at risk
Teen skin is still growing, so it burns more easily and stays damaged longer. "A significant risk factor for skin cancer is cumulative sun exposure, meaning the sum of your sun exposure over years," Dr. Abbott said. Tanning without sunscreen at a young age can increase risks later in life.
Social media platforms have a powerful influence on young people’s choices. Teens might be drawn to beauty ideals that promote tanned skin as healthy and attractive, especially if their friends buy into them. The pressure to look a certain way may be intense.
"Many teens have an interest in skincare and skin health, so their embrace of unhealthy sun exposure practices is surprising. But we are living in a world where the person with the largest following has the most influence and people without any credentials suddenly seem like they know more than experts," Dr. Abbott said.
“Misinformation around vitamin D levels and the alleged dangers of sunscreen have become widespread, and scientists and physicians don’t have the same platforms to combat this information,” she said.
How teens should protect their skin
These tips can help teens stay safe in the sun:
- Use sunscreen: Pick a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and reapply it every two hours and after swimming or sweating. Don’t overlook the ears, the back of the neck and the feet. Apply sunscreen daily, even on cloudy days.
- Try safe options: Use self-tanning products or spray tans for a glow that doesn’t damage your skin.
- Wear protective clothes: Hats, sunglasses and long sleeves block UV rays.
- Avoid peak sun: Stay in the shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
“It’s never too late to adopt healthy habits and make changes,” Dr. Abbott said.
How parents can help
As a parent of a teen, you should talk to your child about sun safety. But first, listen. Ask your teen why they are interested in tanning. Once you get their perspective, you can empathize and understand while you focus on health and safety.
It may help to:
- Be supportive: Understand the social pressures teens may feel to follow trends but focus on how long-term health is more important than short-term appearance.
- Share stories: "Most parents have a friend or relative who has been affected by skin cancer and they can share these stories with their teen," Dr. Abbott said.
- Teach skin care: "Parents can start discussions about the long-term consequences of sun exposure, such as premature aging and skin cancer," Dr. Abbott said.
- Encourage alternatives: Suggest self-tanning products for a glowing look that doesn’t involve sun exposure.
What to do if your teen has been tanning without protection
If a teen tans without sunscreen, these steps can help them heal:
- Drink plenty of water: Skin needs moisture to heal.
- Soothe sunburns: Use aloe vera or after-sun lotion to calm skin and reduce redness and inflammation.
- See a health care provider: For a severe sunburn or skin that is blistered or peeling, talk to a professional for help recovering and preventing future damage.
- Schedule a skin check: A skin check is a good idea for teens with a history of frequent sun exposure or tanning.
The bottom line
Social media may make tanning seem trendy or fashionable to teens, but it can hurt skin for life. Help your teen understand that social media should not be deciding how they should treat their body. Teach them that protecting their skin now can help keep it safe in the future.
To learn more about the risks of sun exposure or to set up a skin exam for your teen, contact your health care provider or reach out to an expert at Banner Health.
