A renewed interest in tanning among teenagers has raised concerns among health experts as young people increasingly seek to achieve deep tans despite longstanding warnings about the risks of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The trend reflects a shift in attitudes that some attribute to social media influence and cultural perceptions of beauty.
The UV Index, a numerical scale measuring the intensity of skin-damaging ultraviolet rays from zero to 11 or higher, is designed to inform the public about the level of risk for sunburn and skin damage. Values of 6 or above indicate a level of exposure that can cause burning in less than 20 minutes without adequate protection. However, many teenagers have reportedly embraced higher index readings as an opportunity to enhance their tan quickly, a behavior that contrasts sharply with the index’s original health-focused purpose.
This resurgence in tanning enthusiasm emerges despite decades of public health campaigns warning about the dangers of UV exposure, including skin cancer and premature aging. The growing fixation among youth with tanning is partly attributed to social media platforms, notably TikTok, where users share content promoting rapid tanning strategies and celebrate sun-kissed appearances.
Historically, attitudes toward tanning have evolved significantly. Until the early 20th century, pale skin was often associated with upper-class status, while tans indicated outdoor labor. This changed dramatically in the 1920s when fashion icon Coco Chanel popularized the suntanned look, and post-World War II social trends further solidified tanning as a symbol of leisure and affluence. The rise of swimwear fashions exposing more skin, affordable air travel to sunny destinations, and media promoting beach culture all contributed to tanning’s popularity.
Despite awareness dating back to at least the late 1960s warning that there is no “safe tan,” tanning practices continued to grow, with tanning beds becoming widespread by the early 2000s. These devices, primarily used by young white women, were mistakenly marketed as safer alternatives to natural sunlight. Indoor tanning peaked around 2009, with up to 30% of women aged 18 to 21 regularly visiting tanning salons. California subsequently enacted legislation in 2012 banning tanning bed use for minors, and in 2014 the U.S. surgeon general identified skin cancer as a significant public health issue.
Beyond health concerns, tanning also intersects with racial and cultural dynamics. The practice of temporarily darkening skin by white individuals contrasts with the social challenges faced by people with naturally dark skin tones. The phenomenon of “blackfishing,” where individuals adopt aspects of Black aesthetics without embracing the lived realities of Black identity, has sparked debate around cultural appropriation and privilege.
Despite these complexities and health warnings, tanning remains popular among many teenagers, who prioritize the immediate aesthetic appeal over potential long-term risks. As one teenager who counsels younger children on sun safety explained, high UV levels are seen not as a deterrent but as an essential component of achieving a deeper tan, underscoring ongoing challenges in public health messaging.