Thanks to social media trends and Love Island, we are going backwards when it comes to cancer prevention. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland, with over 11,000 new cases diagnosed every year. It is expected this number will double by 2040.

Social media platforms have trending videos with influencers promote tanning methods — without mentioning the dangers of UV exposure.

Love Island is problematic in many ways, but let’s just talk about the quiet and constant normalising of tanning behaviour in almost every scene – (note that the programme also does not show the between-the-scene wellness checks by production staff promoting hydration and SPF.)

The tanning trend is more than just sun exposure. Sunbeds – after years in decline – are regaining popularity — despite being classified as a group 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization.

Social media trends in tanning:

• The hashtag #sunburnttanlines has more than 200 million views on TikTok.

• Melanotan 2 (MT2) is a product that is widely promoted online, often described as a self-tanning aid, usually sold as an injectable powder or nasal sprays. What’s the risk?  It’s illegal and unregulated – so no guarantees as to its quality or safety. Serious side effects 2 include: new moles, darkening of existing moles/ freckles, potential loss of vision, muscle tremors, stroke and anaphylaxis.

• Intentional sunburn lines aren’t the only example of young peoples’ obsession with tanned skin. In another recent TikTok trend, people have been tattooing tan lines into their chests.

• Soaking skin in cooking oil before tanning to speed up the tanning process (it doesn’t). However, it can cause long-term tissue damage as a result of sunburn.

• The idea that tanning is “safe” as long as you wear sunscreen while in the sun. Tanning a sign of skin/sun damage

Facts:

• Nine out of every 10 cases of skin cancer are caused by UV rays from the sun or sunbeds. 

• The Science of Tanning: There is DNA in the skin.  When you tan or burn, this is from UV radiation damage.  The more damage to the  DNA, the greater the risk of cancer.

• Did you know? Even just one severe (blistering) sunburn as a child/teen  can more than double your risk of melanoma in adulthood.

• Using sunbeds before the age of 35 increases the risk of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, by up to 75%

• Tanning can be a form of addiction or unhealth body image, no different than extreme dieting.

Mythbusting:

• Myth: Tanning is good for vitamin D. In short, no.  Most people get plenty of vitamin D from sun exposure during summer months just to hands and face.

• Myth: Tanning beds are okay because they are used by doctors.  Fact: Light boxes for medical use are not the same as light boxes that are used in medical treatment.

• Myth: you need a base tan before holidays.  Fact:  all tans are sun/UV damage. 

 What should parents know?

1. Family habits —such as wearing sunscreen, sunglasses, shirts, and hats clothing, and seeking shade.

2. Celebrate natural skin tones can also help shift the perception that tanned skin is the only ideal.  Every skin tone is beautiful, and that includes shades of pale ivory or porcelain.  Celebrate natural beauty.

3. Talk to your teen about body images

4. Be aware tha the part of the brain that makes the best decisions isn’t fully developed in teens

5. Have an ongoing discussion about online misinformation your child/teen is exposed to, including marketing and health misinformation.

6. If you are talking beauty, well worth highlighting the premature aging effects of tanning. Nothing looks as beautiful as healthy feels.