Summer is definitely taking outdoor fun to a new level.
The latest trend making waves on social media is called “tanmaxxing.” This method involves maximizing exposure to sunlight to achieve a deeper tan.
It’s particularly popular among younger generations, especially Gen Z. The approach blends time spent soaking up sun with various tanning products like lotions, oils, and gels.
Social media influencers are proudly displaying their intense tan lines and sunbathing setups, with some even skipping sunscreen or using tanning products while lying in bed.
While being outside can lift your spirits and help your body produce vitamin D, dermatologists caution that excessive sun exposure, highlighted by the tanmax trend, can pose serious risks.
Dr. Michael Tasaver, a certified dermatologist based in New York, insists there’s no such thing as a harmless tan.
He expressed in an interview that sunburn is harmful, pointing out that those who advocate for deep tans as health benefits are mistaken. A tan is actually a sign that skin damage has occurred.
As a specialist in skin cancer, he has seen many cases where individuals engaged in tanmaxxing long before it became a term. “Most people feel regret afterward,” he noted.
Moreover, experts emphasize that using tanning beds before the age of 35 can increase melanoma risk by roughly 75%. The World Health Organization has classified ultraviolet light and tanning beds as Group 1 carcinogens, putting them in the same category as substances like tobacco.
According to Dr. Tasaver, the cumulative damage from such practices is insidious, becoming apparent only years later when it becomes much harder to treat.
He pointed out that two popular misconceptions behind tanmaxxing are actually false. The belief that skipping sunscreen leads to a better tan and that a base tan provides sufficient protection against sunburn are incorrect.
Sunlight isn’t the enemy, dermatologists stress. They clarify that while sunlight offers benefits, chasing it isn’t necessary.
Dr. Tasaver mentioned that most vitamin D is obtained through diet and supplements, and our skin is quite effective at absorbing what it needs from regular exposure. “Normal incidental exposure is generally sufficient,” he added.
Vitamin D does support bone health, and sunlight can indeed enhance mood for some people, but extensive sunbathing isn’t required to obtain adequate vitamin D levels. Additionally, diligent usage of sunscreen does not affect bone health negatively.
For safe sun exposure, Dr. Tasaver suggests using a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and reapplying it every two hours. He strongly advises against using tanning beds, highlighting that there is no “safe” level of UV exposure and that such practices accelerate skin aging.
