6 myths about tanning safety

There can be a lot of misunderstandings about how safe it is to get a tan.

As a dermatologist, I love to debunk tanning myths. Read on to test your knowledge and learn the safest ways to get tanned skin if you choose. (Hint: you can use these safe tanning methods year-round!)

Myth: It’s possible to get a tan from the sun safely.

Fact: There is no safe way to get a tan from the sun.

Skin tanning is caused by ultraviolet light: specifically, UVA and UVB rays. This ultraviolet light directly damages DNA and leads to the creation of reactive oxygen species in skin cells. This DNA damage can accumulate over time and lead to skin cancers and signs of aging like wrinkles and dark spots.

The same UV that causes a tan also damages the skin. Tanned skin is damaged skin.

Myth: Getting a tan is fine. It’s sunburn you should be worried about.

Fact: There is a common misconception that sunburns, not tans, are bad for the skin.  Unfortunately, both sunburns and tans harm your skin.

Sunburn may be the most immediate skin condition that can be caused by the sun, but it isn’t the only one. Other side effects of tanning include:

Photoaging

This long-term cosmetic side effect of tanning causes dark spots and wrinkles.

Increased skin cancer risk

The biggest concern with tanning is future development of skin cancer. About 70% of skin cancers are caused by repeated exposure to ultraviolet light. The most common types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. These most often form in areas that get lots of sun exposure, such as the face, neck, scalp and arms.

UV exposure is also a major risk factor for developing melanoma, the most aggressive and sometimes deadly type of skin cancer.

Myth: It's safe to get a tan if it happens while you are wearing sunscreen.

Fact: False. Any suntan is a sign of skin damage, even if you got it while wearing sunscreen.

SPF 30 sunscreen blocks 97% of UVB rays; 3% of UVB rays are still able to penetrate your skin. This means it’s possible to get a tan even while wearing sunscreen that is applied properly.

MD Anderson dermatologists recommend sunscreen products that are:

• At least SPF 30
• Broad-spectrum (protecting you from UVA and UVB rays)
• Water-resistant, especially if you will be sweating or in the water

Apply at least one ounce of sunscreen 30 minutes before heading outside.

If you often develop a tan while wearing sunscreen, you should apply more sunscreen. Be sure to reapply at least every 2 hours, and even more often if you are sweating or swimming.

Wearing UV protective clothing (UPF 50) is another excellent way to protect parts of the skin like your arms, legs and back, leaving fewer areas where sunscreen needs to be applied. You can also wear a wide-brimmed hat to add extra protection for the skin on your face and neck.

Myth: It’s good to get a base tan to prevent sunburn.

Fact: A base tan isn’t recommended.

The idea behind a base tan is that a light tan can protect your skin from sunburn. A tan does provide about the same amount of sun protection as a product with SPF 3 or 4. However, to get that protection, you are still damaging your skin cells in the first place.

A base tan also doesn’t provide nearly the amount of SPF that dermatologists recommend. Instead, choose a product with at least SPF 30.

Myth: It's OK to use a tanning bed for special occasions.

Fact: It’s never safe to use a tanning bed.

Tanning beds mostly emit UVA rays – which penetrate deeper into the skin – and they emit about 12 times more of these rays than natural sunlight. Using a tanning bed even once increases your risk of both melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Research has also shown that using a tanning bed before age 20 can increase your chance of developing melanoma by nearly 50%.

There is no such thing as a safe tanning bed, despite marketing claims of safer technology.

Myth: There aren’t any dermatologist-approved ways to get tanned skin.

Fact: Sunless tanners such as spray tans or at-home tanning lotions offer the safest way to create a tanned appearance. These products temporarily darken your skin to give you the appearance of a tan without the dangers that come with UV exposure.

Request an appointment at MD Anderson online or call 1-877-632-6789.