A new trend to get a perfect tan has been worrying about skin health specialists. Younger people have mainly appealed to methods that increase the risk of sunburn, encouraged by content on social networks. The same, despite knowing the dangers of sun exposure, do not always adopt safe practices, which raises alerts about this new fashion.
Viral content and risk to the skin
According to Lifestyle site, Women’s Health, there are content that becomes viral on social networks for various reasons, from quick recipes to beauty tricks. But not everyone has a scientific foundation, and some even endanger health.
These practices include attention to the Ultraviolet Radiation Index (UV) to determine the periods of the day considered “ideal” to obtain a perfect tan, ignoring sun protection.
This phenomenon has been worrying experts and doctors in the United States, including the American Academy of Dermatology, which recorded significant increases in risk behaviors.
Growth of Solar Burns
The investigation released this month by the same gym reveals that 67% of Americans had darker or tanned skin in 2024, compared to 25% by 2020.
In the same period, there was a 10% increase in solar burns, affecting 35% of the population and with 10% to suffer bubbles. Between generation Z and generation Y, almost half reported solar burns.
Although 96% of respondents recognize the importance of sun protection, only 56% said they used it regularly. The disparity between knowledge and practice is evident, with a quarter of generation Z to have low results on solar safety tests.
Bad interpreting the UV index
The central problem arises from the wrong interpretation of the UV index, which measures the intensity of ultraviolet radiation on a scale from 0 to 11.
The higher the number, the higher the risk of exposure to UV rays. But, according to Susan C. Taylor, a doctor and associate professor of dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania, many young people tend to consider that high values correspond to the best opportunities to tank.
Digital platforms and pseudoscience
This trend is promoted on platforms like Tiktok, where videos that explain “the best heights for tanning” accumulate thousands of sharing.
The popularity of these publications coincided with the pandemic, when the intensive use of mobile phones and social networks intensified.
In addition to videos of teenagers tanning, pseudoscientific publications and misleading information about the alleged benefits of UV radiation were multiplied.
Safe alternatives
Dermatologists at the American Academy of Dermatology recommend safer alternatives for those who want to look tanned. Topical autobronzers and tanning products offer the aesthetic effect without the risk of sunburn.
It underlines that it is not about avoiding the sun completely, but of adopting safer behaviors: choosing appropriate times, applying sunscreen and avoiding prolonged exposure. Small changes can significantly reduce long -term risks, preventing skin lesions and skin cancer.
Also read:
