Tanning is a popular trend for many groups of people, especially teens, despite the harmful effects it can have on the skin. Sheilagh Maguiness, MD, is a pediatric dermatologist with University of Minnesota Physicians (M Physicians), and she sees the effects of tanning every day. She says that social media use is driving tanning trends among young people who are spending more unprotected time in the sun or are using tanning beds to achieve the looks they see online.
“There has been a big resurgence in interest, and in sharing, tanning and tanning bed use on social media,” Dr. Maguiness says, “Sharing these trends and having young people comment, like, and repost - all of that stirs up these kinds of dangerous behaviors where teens are really getting a lot of inappropriate UV exposure too early,” Dr. Maguiness says.
The biggest danger with respect to tanning and burning, Dr. Maguiness explains, is increased risk for developing skin cancer like melanoma down the road.
“If you even get one significant sunburn in your childhood, your risk for developing skin cancer down the road is increased. And the same is true with tanning bed use.”
There are also other factors that can increase someone’s risk of developing skin cancer, like genetics and family history, but UV exposure is one factor that is within our control.
When it comes to tanning bed use, Dr. Maguiness says there is no safe way to tan with UV rays.
How UV tanning harms the skin
Dr. Maguiness explains that any tan means that your skin is adjusting to UV damage that has occurred.
“It's like your little skin cells put up an umbrella, trying to protect themselves from the UV damage coming in, so they make more melanin, but they also develop molecular changes to their DNA in response to the UV damage, over time these changes can predispose to skin cancer.”
When she sees content promoting skin tanning on social media, Dr. Maguiness is reminded of the powerful stories from patients who have seen the harmful effects of tanning too.
“To see patients, colleagues, even friends, posting their experiences with early exposure to UV tanning and then sharing their experience with skin cancer, it’s very powerful and can create connections. This type of content tends to resonate with users and can even become viral, which is an important way to combat pro-tanning messaging,” Dr. Maguiness says.
How to know if UV damage is leading to skin cancer
One of the most common signs Dr. Maguiness says to look for is moles that change or look different over time.
“So in adults, if you notice a new pigmented lesion that has changed or kind of comes out of nowhere, that's worth getting checked. Those with many moles to begin with (>100) should be seen on a regular basis for skin checks,” she explains.
You can ask your primary care provider about a mole you have during an annual check up or you can see a Board-certified dermatologist, like Dr. Maguiness, if you notice a new mole that changes shapes or colors.
A helpful guide Dr. Maguiness likes to reference are the ABCDEs of moles, which help someone identify moles that could be concerning:
- Asymmetry: If the mole is an odd shape where one half doesn’t appear like the other
- Border: Instead of appearing round or smooth, the edges of the mole are ragged or blurred
- Color: A mole that contains varied colors, like black, brown and even pink, white, red or blue instead of a uniform color
- Diameter: If the mole is larger than one millimeter across
- Evolving: Changes in the mole’s size, shape or color
If someone has a mole that fits any of the ABCDEs, Dr. Maguiness recommends making an appointment with a dermatologist as soon as you can.
How to protect yourself from harmful UV exposure
Whenever someone is going to spend time outside – particularly in the spring and summer months – Dr. Maguiness recommends using sunscreen or sun-protective clothing like hats and rashguards.
There are two types of sunscreen that people can use to help prevent UV damage to their skin: mineral and chemical. Mineral sunscreens are zinc or titanium based and can harbor a white cast, but they are effective and physically block the harmful UV rays from reaching your skin, and they are particularly beneficial for infants and younger people with sensitive skin prone to eczema.
Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing the UV rays and converting them into non-damaging heat.
When it comes to achieving a bronzed complexion any time of year, Dr. Maguiness advises skipping the tanning bed altogether and considering a self-tanner.
“If people prefer a bronzed complexion, the self tanner is actually pretty darn safe.”
When she’s online herself, Dr. Maguiness appreciates seeing people express themselves and their own beauty. No matter what their complexion is, she just hopes they’re making the safest choices for their skin, adding, "Nothing looks better in your fifties than regular sunscreen use in your twenties."