The dangerous allure of the 'safe tan' is back, and it's being peddled by your smartphone!
In a concerning trend, smartphone applications are emerging, promising users, even those as young as four, 'safe' and 'healthy' tanning routines. These apps, heavily promoted by social media influencers, are contributing to a worrying resurgence of tanning culture among Australian teens. Imagine, apps suggesting you can achieve the perfect 'espresso glow' or 'golden bronze' with 'mild', 'medium', or 'intense' tanning levels for a 'faster, deeper tan'. It sounds like a dream for some, but experts are sounding the alarm.
These apps go a step further, often prompting users to incorporate body oils, tanning butters, and accelerants into their sunbathing rituals, followed by a refreshing shower or swim. The core recommendation, however, is always the same: deliberate exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, with the app dictating precisely when and for how long you should bask in the sun to achieve your desired skin tone.
A sponsored ad for one such app boldly claims, "Didn’t check UV. Didn’t reapply. Didn’t even think about it." This carefree attitude is precisely what's alarming health professionals.
But here's where it gets controversial: the very notion of a 'safe tan' from UV exposure is a myth. Dr. Deshan Sebaratnam, a dermatologist and conjoint associate professor at the University of New South Wales, states unequivocally, "A tan is actually a distress signal from your skin." He explains that when your skin cells are damaged by UV radiation, they produce melanin, which is what gives you that tanned appearance. "There is no such thing as a safe tan. The only safe tan is a fake tan," he emphasizes.
Even apps that advocate for gradual tanning or suggest safe exposure thresholds are misleading. Dr. Sebaratnam clarifies that any change in skin color indicates damage, regardless of how slowly it occurs. This is particularly concerning when these apps target young people. Why? Because UV damage incurred early in life significantly increases the lifetime risk of skin cancer, even long after the skin appears to have healed.
And this is the part most people miss: the damage from UV radiation penetrates your DNA, causing mutations. These mutations persist in your skin cells, even if the skin looks fine on the surface. "When you acquire enough mutations, that’s what causes cancer," he warns. We know that sunburns during childhood dramatically elevate this risk, which is why public health initiatives like 'no hat, no play' are so crucial.
While melanoma in children is rare, Dr. Sebaratnam has treated young patients who have undergone extensive surgeries, including lymph node removal. Furthermore, he calls the suggestion of using tanning accelerants or oils by these apps a "terrible idea." These products can contain ingredients that make your skin even more sensitive to the sun, leading to severe burns.
Emma Glassenbury, head of the Cancer Council Victoria’s SunSmart program, shares these concerns. "We’re hearing from parents who are worried their kids are chasing tan lines again, asking about UV levels and when it’s ‘safe’ to tan." This sentiment is echoed by a poll from The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, which revealed that 23% of teens aged 12-17 falsely believe a tan protects them from skin cancer, with half expressing a preference for a tanned appearance.
With approximately 2,000 Australians dying from skin cancer each year, the Cancer Council is actively working to highlight the dangers of these apps. They are urging everyone to steer clear of these risky applications, especially those that target young people. By promoting tanning trends, these apps are actively undermining decades of public health efforts aimed at combating skin cancer and shifting Australia's deep-seated tanning mentality.
What are your thoughts on these tanning apps? Do you believe they pose a significant risk to public health, or are they simply a modern tool for personal preference? Let us know in the comments below!
