As Skin Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close, the Dermatology Providers at MetroDerm in the Greater Atlanta area are encouraging patients to be cautious about dangerous tanning trends circulating on social media. While TikTok and Instagram may glamorize bronzed skin and dramatic tan lines, many of these viral “hacks” can lead to serious skin damage and increase the risk of skin cancer.
Below are five harmful tanning trends that our Dermatology Providers say people should avoid, and why they can be dangerous for your skin.
1. UV Index Tanning
One popular trend encourages users to check the daily UV index and intentionally tan when UV levels are highest to darken their skin more quickly. While this may speed up tanning, it also dramatically increases exposure to harmful ultraviolet radiation.
Why it’s harmful:
Peak UV hours are when the sun’s rays are strongest and most damaging. Excessive UV exposure accelerates premature aging, causes sunburns, triggers hyperpigmentation, and significantly increases the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma. According to the American Cancer Society, melanoma accounts for 1% of all skin cancers, but causes a large majority of skin cancer deaths.
In an interview with The Weather Channel about sun protection, Dr. Pearl Rimtepathip, Board-Certified Dermatologist at our Hiram location, recommended the following:
- Avoid peak sun hours between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- Wear wide-brim hats, sunglasses, and UV-protective clothing for added protection. And on the topic of UV-protective clothing, Dr. Pearl reminds people, “We still recommend applying sunscreen underneath protective clothing for full coverage,” said Dr. Pearl.
- Seek shade whenever possible.
2. “Sunburnt Tan Lines”
Another concerning trend involves users intentionally burning their skin to create bold bikini, sock, or strap tan lines for social media photos. Some videos even suggest that getting burned first will help create a “better” tan later.
Why it’s harmful:
There is no such thing as a healthy sunburn. A sunburn is a visible sign of DNA damage to the skin. Repeated burns increase the risk of skin cancer and can lead to long-term skin damage such as wrinkles, dark spots, and loss of elasticity. The Skin Cancer Foundation warns that a history of five or more sunburns doubles your risk of developing melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer.
3. Mixing Tanning Oils With Sunscreen
Some influencers promote mixing tanning oils, bronzing products, or body oils directly into sunscreen to tan faster while still claiming to stay protected.
Why it’s harmful:
Sunscreen is specifically formulated and tested to provide a certain SPF level. Mixing it with oils or other products can dilute its effectiveness and create uneven coverage, leaving skin vulnerable to UV damage. Plus, products such as tanning oils are designed to intensify UV exposure – the exact opposite of what sunscreen is intended to do.
4. Using Baby Oil or Tanning Accelerators
Older tanning methods have resurfaced online, including applying baby oil or tanning accelerators before sun exposure to achieve a deeper tan more quickly. There is even one trend circulating that recommends using beer to help you tan.
Why it’s harmful:
These products can intensify the sun’s rays, increasing the likelihood of severe burns. Many offer little to no UV protection, essentially amplifying skin damage while giving users a false sense of confidence in the sun.
5. Skipping Sunscreen to “Tan Better”
A growing misconception online is that sunscreen completely prevents tanning, leading some users to avoid SPF altogether intentionally.
Why it’s harmful:
Skipping sunscreen exposes the skin directly to harmful UVA and UVB rays. While sunscreen may not completely stop tanning, it helps reduce the amount of UV damage the skin absorbs. Going without protection greatly increases the risk of sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. In fact, when used as directed, sunscreen can decrease the risk of skin cancer and precancerous lesions by 40 to 50%.
Dr. Amy Kim, Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon and Double Board-Certified Dermatologist at Atlanta-Sandy Springs and Hiram locations, had this to add in a previous Skin Cancer Awareness blog: “I remind my patients that they must stay diligent by wearing sunscreen and skin protection and to perform routine skin checks to identify new or changing spots. If you see a suspicious spot or lesion that’s different from other freckles or moles on you or a loved one, visit your Board-Certified Dermatologist. Whether you need education about sun exposure, skin cancer treatment options or even plastic surgery following completion of skin cancer treatment, we’re here to help you feel and look your best.”
A tan is not a sign of healthy skin – it is the skin’s response to injury from ultraviolet radiation. Even trends that appear harmless online can have long-term consequences for skin health.
At MetroDerm, patient health and skin safety remain the top priority. Our Dermatology Providers believe it is important to help patients distinguish between skin care facts and harmful online trends by providing accurate, science-backed information on sun protection and skin cancer prevention. By educating patients about the risks of excessive UV exposure and dangerous tanning practices, our skilled team aims to empower the Greater Atlanta community to make informed decisions that support long-term skin health.
Your skin tells your life story – let MetroDerm help it be a long, healthy one. Request an appointment with one of our Dermatology Providers today.
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