Tanning Apps & Teen Skin Cancer Risk: Australia’s Dangerous Trend
- A dangerous resurgence of tanning culture, fueled by social media trends and readily available smartphone applications, is raising concerns among dermatologists and public health officials in Australia.
- The apps operate by allowing users to select a desired skin tone – ranging from “espresso glow” to “golden bronze” – and then recommend tanning schedules based on...
- A recent social media advertisement for one such app featured a young woman with tanned skin accompanied by the caption, “Didn’t check UV.
A dangerous resurgence of tanning culture, fueled by social media trends and readily available smartphone applications, is raising concerns among dermatologists and public health officials in Australia. These apps, some designed for users as young as four years old, promote deliberate sun exposure under the guise of “safe” tanning routines, a concept experts vehemently refute.
The apps operate by allowing users to select a desired skin tone – ranging from “espresso glow” to “golden bronze” – and then recommend tanning schedules based on chosen intensity levels like “mild,” “medium,” or “intense.” Some even suggest incorporating tanning oils and butters into the routine, or following sun exposure with activities like showering or swimming. The core function of these applications is to guide users on how long to spend in the sun to achieve their desired complexion.
A recent social media advertisement for one such app featured a young woman with tanned skin accompanied by the caption, “Didn’t check UV. Didn’t reapply. Didn’t even think about it.” This casual disregard for sun safety is particularly alarming to health professionals.
The Illusion of a ‘Safe’ Tan
Dermatologists are clear: there is no such thing as a safe tan. “It’s all nonsense,” states Dr. Deshan Sebaratnam, a dermatologist and conjoint associate professor at the University of New South Wales. “A tan is actually a distress signal from your skin,” he explains. “It means your skin cells have been damaged by ultraviolet radiation and are responding by producing melanin.”
Dr. Sebaratnam emphasizes that any change in skin color indicates damage, regardless of how gradual the tanning process may be. Apps suggesting safer tanning schedules or exposure thresholds are misleading, as even minimal UV exposure contributes to DNA damage within skin cells. This damage, he warns, remains even after the skin appears to have healed.
“When you acquire enough mutations, that’s what causes cancer,” Dr. Sebaratnam explains. He notes that sunburns experienced during childhood significantly increase lifetime risk, which is why policies like “no hat, no play” are crucial preventative measures. While melanoma is rare in children, he has treated young patients requiring surgery and lymph node removal due to the disease.
The use of tanning accelerants or oils, as promoted by some apps, is also strongly discouraged. Dr. Sebaratnam warns that these products may contain ingredients that increase photosensitivity, leading to severe burns.
Growing Concerns Among Parents and Public Health Officials
The Cancer Council Victoria’s SunSmart program is also raising alarms. Emma Glassenbury, the program’s head, reports receiving concerns from parents noticing a renewed interest in tanning among their children, with questions about UV levels and “safe” tanning times. “That’s deeply concerning,” she says.
Recent polling data from The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne reveals a troubling trend: 23% of teenagers aged 12-17 falsely believe a tan protects against skin cancer, and half expressed a preference for having tanned skin. This misconception underscores the need for increased education about the dangers of UV exposure.
The Serious Health Consequences of UV Exposure
Skin cancer remains a significant public health issue in Australia. Approximately Australians die from skin cancer each year. The cumulative effect of UV damage over a lifetime significantly increases the risk of developing the disease.
The concern is heightened by the fact that UV damage acquired early in life carries a higher lifetime risk. This is because the DNA mutations caused by UV radiation persist in skin cells long after the skin appears to have healed. These mutations can accumulate over time, eventually leading to cancerous growth.
Combating the Tanning Trend
Public health officials are actively working to counter the influence of these tanning apps and the associated trends. Glassenbury emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about the dangers of these applications and urging Australians to avoid them, particularly young people. “By promoting tanning trends, they are really undermining our public health efforts in tackling skin cancer,” she states. “SunSmart has spent decades really trying to shift Australian attitudes away from that tanning mentality.”
The message from health experts is unequivocal: a fake tan is the only safe way to achieve a tanned appearance. Deliberate sun exposure, guided by apps or otherwise, carries significant health risks and should be avoided.