Tanning Apps & Teen Skin Cancer Risk: Australia’s Dangerous Trend
A concerning trend is emerging as smartphone applications promoting potentially dangerous tanning practices are gaining traction, particularly among young people. These apps, some designed for users as young as four years old, are being heavily promoted by influencers and are contributing to a resurgence in tanning culture, raising alarms among health professionals.
The Rise of Tanning Apps
Several apps claim to offer “safe” and “healthy” tanning routines. Downloaded by The Guardian, these apps allow users to select desired skin tones – such as “espresso glow” or “golden bronze” – and tanning intensity levels ranging from “mild” to “intense.” Some even suggest incorporating body oils, tanning butters, and accelerants into routines, alongside post-sun activities like showering or swimming.
The apps then provide tailored tanning routines based on deliberate exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, guiding users on when and how long to spend in the sun to achieve their desired complexion. A sponsored social media advertisement for one of these apps featured a young woman with a tanned complexion and the caption: “Didn’t check UV. Didn’t reapply. Didn’t even think about it.”
Health Concerns and Expert Warnings
Dermatologists are strongly condemning these apps. Dr. Deshan Sebaratnam, a dermatologist and conjoint associate professor at the University of New South Wales, stated, “It’s all nonsense,” and emphasized that the concept of a “safe tan” from UV exposure does not exist. He explained that a tan is a sign of skin cell damage, triggered by the production of melanin in response to ultraviolet radiation.
Dr. Sebaratnam further cautioned that apps suggesting gradual tanning schedules or safe exposure thresholds are misleading, as any change in skin color indicates damage. He expressed particular concern about apps targeting young people, as UV damage early in life increases the lifetime risk of skin cancer.
He also warned against using tanning accelerants or oils, as these products can increase photosensitivity and lead to severe burns. Emma Glassenbury, head of the Cancer Council Victoria’s SunSmart program, noted that parents are expressing concern about their children seeking tan lines and questioning safe UV exposure levels.
Public Awareness and Statistics
A poll conducted by The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne in December revealed that 23% of teenagers aged 12-17 incorrectly believe a tan protects against skin cancer, while half expressed a preference for having tanned skin. Approximately 2,000 Australians die from skin cancer each year.
Glassenbury emphasized the need to raise awareness about the dangers of these apps and urged Australians to avoid them, particularly young people. She stated that promoting tanning trends undermines decades of public health efforts to discourage tanning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do these tanning apps recommend?
The apps recommend tailored tanning routines centered on deliberate exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, guiding users on when and how long to spend in the sun to achieve their desired skin tone.
What does a dermatologist say about a “safe” tan?
Dr. Deshan Sebaratnam stated that the concept of a “safe tan” from UV exposure does not exist, and that a tan is actually a distress signal from the skin indicating cell damage.
What are the concerns regarding young people using these apps?
UV damage early in life carries a higher lifetime risk of skin cancer, and apps targeting young people are particularly troubling because of this increased risk.
As awareness of these apps grows, it remains to be seen whether public health campaigns will be successful in countering their influence and protecting vulnerable populations from the dangers of UV exposure. Will increased education and warnings be enough to dissuade individuals from seeking a tan through these potentially harmful methods?