Contributed by Katie Lockwood, MD; James Treat, MD; and Virginia Spellman
Tanning, particularly among teens, has been becoming increasingly popular because of social media trends. Dermatologists are seeing a huge increase in teenage tanning, as routines full of dangerous myths about “safe” tanning and sunscreen are all over the internet.
Why is tanning gaining popularity?
Tanning is thought to provide a temporary glow and warmth to the skin. While darkening of the skin is a result of time spent in the sun, it is not simply a glow. A tan occurs when the body’s production of melanin increases in an attempt to protect the skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
What do we know about tanning?
Tans are a direct result of skin damage caused by UV rays. There are three main types of UV rays from the sun: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVC rays are the most dangerous, but most are completely absorbed by the ozone layer and never reach our skin. UVB rays cause damage to the outmost layer of skin and are the main cause of burning. These rays lead to skin cancers such as melanoma.
They also result in tanning when the skin produces melanin in an attempt to shield itself from the UV rays. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin with longer wavelengths, and are responsible for premature aging, wrinkles and sunspots. UVA can also lead to skin cancers and indirect skin damage. These are the rays primarily used in tanning beds or other artificial tanning options.
Sunscreen options such as zinc, titanium, and chemical blockers are broad spectrum (UVA/UVB protective). These sun protectants are widely available and important to protect skin from sun damage.
What are some concerns about tanning?
Skin cancer is currently the most common cancer in the United States, and melanoma rates are rising in young people. Exposure to UV radiation causes skin damage and mutations in skin cells, drastically increasing the risk of developing cancer. UV radiation also accelerates premature skin aging, leading to wrinkles, sagging, dark spots and changes in skin texture. Tanning damages collagen and elastin fibers that lead to irreversible cosmetic changes. Tanning also suppresses the skin’s immune system, making it harder for skin cells to detect and destroy abnormal cells, further increasing the risk of developing skin cancer.
The damage from tanning is cumulative. So while teens may not see immediate harm from their tanning, safe sun protection habits over their lifetime will help decrease their overall risk of developing skin cancer.
What are we still learning?
While the damage that accompanies tanning and sun exposure is clear, research still needs to be done regarding protection against harmful UV rays. Recently, the FDA approved a new sunscreen ingredient called bemotrizinol (BEMT), which protects against both UVA and UVB for long periods of time, does not absorb into the bloodstream easily, and does not leave a chalky white layer on the skin. This new sunscreen ingredient reinforces the need to continue UV protection research so that people have more options to protect their skin from UV damage.
References
What’s the difference between UVA and UVB rays? | UT MD Anderson
Strome A, Herbert K, Walsh K, Lamberg O, Waselewski ME, Chang T. Assessment of Sun Protection Knowledge and Behaviors of US Youth. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(11):e2134550. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.34550
Stevens CR, Green M, Hinh K, Chaudhry S. Predictors of sunscreen use in United States high‐school students. Skin Health Dis. 2024 Mar 11;4(4):e370. doi: 10.1002/ski2.370. PMID: 39104654; PMCID: PMC11297451.
Contributed by Katie Lockwood, MD; James Treat, MD; and Virginia Spellman
Tanning, particularly among teens, has been becoming increasingly popular because of social media trends. Dermatologists are seeing a huge increase in teenage tanning, as routines full of dangerous myths about “safe” tanning and sunscreen are all over the internet.
Why is tanning gaining popularity?
Tanning is thought to provide a temporary glow and warmth to the skin. While darkening of the skin is a result of time spent in the sun, it is not simply a glow. A tan occurs when the body’s production of melanin increases in an attempt to protect the skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
What do we know about tanning?
Tans are a direct result of skin damage caused by UV rays. There are three main types of UV rays from the sun: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVC rays are the most dangerous, but most are completely absorbed by the ozone layer and never reach our skin. UVB rays cause damage to the outmost layer of skin and are the main cause of burning. These rays lead to skin cancers such as melanoma.
They also result in tanning when the skin produces melanin in an attempt to shield itself from the UV rays. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin with longer wavelengths, and are responsible for premature aging, wrinkles and sunspots. UVA can also lead to skin cancers and indirect skin damage. These are the rays primarily used in tanning beds or other artificial tanning options.
Sunscreen options such as zinc, titanium, and chemical blockers are broad spectrum (UVA/UVB protective). These sun protectants are widely available and important to protect skin from sun damage.
What are some concerns about tanning?
Skin cancer is currently the most common cancer in the United States, and melanoma rates are rising in young people. Exposure to UV radiation causes skin damage and mutations in skin cells, drastically increasing the risk of developing cancer. UV radiation also accelerates premature skin aging, leading to wrinkles, sagging, dark spots and changes in skin texture. Tanning damages collagen and elastin fibers that lead to irreversible cosmetic changes. Tanning also suppresses the skin’s immune system, making it harder for skin cells to detect and destroy abnormal cells, further increasing the risk of developing skin cancer.
The damage from tanning is cumulative. So while teens may not see immediate harm from their tanning, safe sun protection habits over their lifetime will help decrease their overall risk of developing skin cancer.
What are we still learning?
While the damage that accompanies tanning and sun exposure is clear, research still needs to be done regarding protection against harmful UV rays. Recently, the FDA approved a new sunscreen ingredient called bemotrizinol (BEMT), which protects against both UVA and UVB for long periods of time, does not absorb into the bloodstream easily, and does not leave a chalky white layer on the skin. This new sunscreen ingredient reinforces the need to continue UV protection research so that people have more options to protect their skin from UV damage.
References
What’s the difference between UVA and UVB rays? | UT MD Anderson
Strome A, Herbert K, Walsh K, Lamberg O, Waselewski ME, Chang T. Assessment of Sun Protection Knowledge and Behaviors of US Youth. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(11):e2134550. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.34550
Stevens CR, Green M, Hinh K, Chaudhry S. Predictors of sunscreen use in United States high‐school students. Skin Health Dis. 2024 Mar 11;4(4):e370. doi: 10.1002/ski2.370. PMID: 39104654; PMCID: PMC11297451.
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