Why your skin care-obsessed teen is tanning — plus, safer alternatives that actually work

Yahoo

17 hours ago

I truly thought we were done with tanning. Gen Z grew up with zinc-streaked noses and bodies fully covered by rash guards. They're also famously known for their obsession with high-end "anti-aging" skin care — making it all the more surprising that teen tanning trends are super popular. Teenagers everywhere are tracking the UV index for max tanning potential and showing off their tan lines all over social media. What's going on? How can parents and doctors get through to these sun-seeking kids? How do we share our hard-won lessons about skin cancer, sun spots and premature aging? We turned to parents, dermatologists and psychologists to find out.
Gen Z is obsessed with tanning (despite their skin care routines)
"My girls use all the high-end beauty skin care products — and they're also obsessed with tan lines," says Tracy K., mother of two high schoolers in Westfield, Mass. While the disconnect is baffling to mom Tracy, experts say it's part of a broader, image-first mindset.
"Young women who've adopted elaborate cosmetic routines believe what they're doing is 'skin care' when what they're actually doing is 'physical appearance care'; often using products to create the illusion of healthy skin," says Sherry Pagoto, a licensed clinical psychologist and University of Connecticut Center for mHealth and Social Media.
That means, for Gen Z, "skin care" and tanning are often driven by beauty ideals — not health. Tanned skin, like or not, is still widely viewed as a sign of health, athleticism and vitality," says Dr. Amy Wechsler, a dermatologist and psychiatrist practicing in New York City and spokesperson for the Skin Cancer Foundation. In fact, a 2024 national survey by the Orlando Health Cancer Institute found nearly a third of Americans agree that a tan makes people look better and healthier.
What's more, today's teens are seeking "intense tanning," says Pagoto. They want a dramatic, deep-dark color with eye-popping tan lines. Some also track their bronzing progress with tanning stickers. "In order for these to work, you have to get a dark enough tan to see the shape the sticker creates," says Pagoto. "And that harms the integrity of the skin and accelerates skin aging."
The hidden psychology behind teen tanning trends
Beyond the surface-level appeal of looking good, there are deeper psychological forces driving teen tanning behavior.
Tanning as social currency
Tanning isn't just about looking "healthy" and raking in the comments (the kudos and the fire emojis) — it's kind of a mating call too. A 2025 study published in Evolutionary Behavioral Sciences found that tanning can serve as a status strategy, particularly for women navigating social and romantic competition. "In teens, we see similar drives — only more amplified by social media, peer pressure and their search for identity," says study author Alison Owen, senior lecturer in health psychology at the University of Staffordshire in Stoke-on-Trent, England. This competitive aspect is amplified on social platforms where tan lines become badges of honor, signaling both leisure time and social status.
The mood and addiction factor
For some teens, tanning is a way to feel better — fast. "They use tanning as a coping tool to de-stress," says Pagoto. That's because ultraviolet (UV) exposure prompts the body to release feel-good chemicals called endogenous opioids, which can temporarily buoy your mood.
That quick lift may be especially appealing in the winter, when seasonal affective disorder (SAD) kicks in. SAD, a seasonal form of depression triggered by shorter daylight hours, can leave teens feeling low and restless, says Wechsler. With less natural daylight, they may turn to tanning beds for relief.
But that strategy doesn't hold up. "Indoor tanning exposes users to dangerous, invisible UV light — not the kind that actually helps with seasonal depression," says Wechsler. Light therapy for SAD works through visible light absorbed by the eyes — not UV rays absorbed by the skin.
Over time, that feel-better habit can start to spiral. "We're seeing patterns that strongly resemble addiction," says Pagoto, who noted that some teens report feeling irritable when they can't tan — a hallmark of dependency. In fact, a 2018 Georgetown study found that 20% of women who tan indoors show signs of tanning addiction.
Debunking dangerous tanning myths teens believe
Despite having more health info than any generation before them, Gen Z teens still buy into sun misconceptions.
Sunscreen is riskier than sun exposure. You need to tan to get your vitamin D. Staying hydrated can prevent a sunburn. "Base tans" are protective and clear up acne.
No, nope, not a chance, and wrong again.
A 2025 American Academy of Dermatology survey found that 57% of Gen Z respondents believe these tanning myths.
For one, "there's no evidence that U.S.-approved sunscreen ingredients are harmful," says Dr. Veena Vanchinathan, a board-certified dermatologist practicing in the San Francisco Bay Area. "But unprotected UV exposure causes premature aging and increases the risk of skin cancer."
Even myths with a sliver of truth — like sun exposure for vitamin D or clearer skin — don't hold up under real scrutiny. "There's no safe amount of unprotected sun exposure," says Vanchinathan. UV rays may dry out a breakout short-term, but they often trigger rebound breakouts and stubborn discoloration that sticks around long after the glow fades.
And here's another myth that's still going strong: the idea that teens with darker skin don't need sunscreen. A 2024 review in Skin Health & Disease found that Black teens are nearly four times less likely to use sunscreen than white teens, and Hispanic teens about 1.5 times less likely. Researchers point to entrenched misinformation and a lack of inclusive sun safety messaging as key drivers.
That's a big problem. Yes, melanin offers some natural protection — but it doesn't block all UV damage. And when skin cancer does occur in people of color, it's far more likely to be caught late, at a more dangerous stage. The takeaway? Teens of all skin tones need sun protection.
Teens think they're tanning smarter — and that's a problem
Seemingly out of nowhere, Bert K., dad to a 14-year-old in Atlanta, started getting an earful about the UV index from his tan-obsessed daughter. "I never heard of this growing up," he says, referring to the standardized measure of the strength of the sun's ultraviolet radiation at a given place and time.
"Normally, we encourage people to use UV index tracking to know when to avoid the sun, but teens are using it to find out the ideal times to get a deep tan," says Pagoto. Mom Tracy knows this all too well. "If the UV is 9 or 10, all plans are canceled and they are out in the yard," she says.
While teens think they're maximizing their sun time, what they're really doing is upping their risk of severe skin damage. Plain and simple: "The higher the UV index numbers, the greater the potential risk of skin and eye damage — and faster onset of that damage," says Vanchinathan. "Think of the UV index as a risk alert, not a tanning forecast."
Why teen tanning is so dangerous
The sun's rays give off UV radiation, which is "a proven human carcinogen," says Wechsler. That means the sun causes cancer. "A tan is a sign of skin damage. It's your skin's attempt to repair that damage and prevent further injury," she says.
While your teen might brush off your sun concerns, because, Mom, I'm not burning! Here's what they need to understand: "Tanning alone increases your chances of developing skin cancer," says Dr. Mary Wu Chang, associate professor of dermatology and pediatrics at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. "Believe me, I've seen teenagers with melanoma." Yes, teens. And, yes, melanoma — the most dangerous form of skin cancer.
Even when teens think they're being careful, burns happen. The latest data from the National Cancer Institute shows that roughly 64% of high schoolers got a sunburn within the past 12 months. And that's dangerous. Getting just one sunburn during childhood or adolescence can increase your odds of developing melanoma later in life, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Even more alarming: If you experience five or more blistering burns between the ages 15 and 20, your risk for melanoma increases by 80%, according to the AAD.
And if your kid tries to convince you that a tanning salon is safer, please feel free to deliver their signature eye roll right back to them: "Indoor tanning devices can emit UV radiation in amounts 10 to 15 times higher than the sun at its peak intensity," says Wechsler. "And people who first use a tanning bed before age 35 increase their risk for melanoma by 75%. One study even found that women who've ever tanned indoors are six times more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma in their 20s than those who have never tanned indoors."
The real danger lies in UV damage being cumulative, says Chang. "So even though your tan or sunburn has faded, your skin remembers the UV exposure. And the damage silently builds up and accumulates over your lifetime." If you start tanning and burning in childhood and your teens, you've got a lot more damage built in as an adult. "The earlier you start accumulating UV rays, the more risk of skin cancer," says Chang.
How to talk to teens about tanning (without the heavy sighs)
Dad Bert continues to fight the good fight: "I talk to my daughter about the dangers of tanning every time she heads to the pool or the beach — or even the driveway to lie out. I'm worried about skin cancer and how this obsession will impact her when she's older," he says. "She just dismisses me when I tell her to wear sunscreen."
Skip the lecture: Most teens, frankly, don't care about future cancer risks. "There's definitely a degree of psychological distancing," says Owen. "Even if your teen acknowledges the health risks of choosing to tan, they probably feel those risks apply to older people. It's just something they'll deal with down the road." Plus, tanning is often linked to social validation or self-esteem, "so messages that focus purely on risk don't feel emotionally relevant or persuasive to teens," she says.
Appeal to their vanity instead: Unlike cancer, your teen's physical appearance is likely something they think about — a lot. "Appearance-based consequences — like wrinkles, uneven pigmentation and early skin sagging — can resonate more strongly than health risks at this age," says Vanchinathan. If your kid is Caucasian, consider dropping this nugget next time you see them baking in the sun: "Hey, yeah, I saw on TikTok that 80% of visible skin aging is caused by the sun. Crazy, right?"
Get a professional reality check: "Bringing your teen to a dermatologist can be really helpful," says Wechsler. A derm can point out existing sun damage, explain the science in ways that feel more credible and assess your teen's individual skin cancer risk based on family history and skin type. Sometimes, hearing personalized medical advice from a legit doctor carries more weight than any parent lecture ever could.
Use shocking visuals to make it real: Visible signs of aging hit quicker than kids might think. "If you're a sun worshipper, you can definitely see early signs of wrinkling in older teens," says Chang. For a preview of hidden damage, Pagoto suggests asking your derm for UV photos: "Our research has found that UV photos, which show sun damage you've already incurred but isn't yet visible to the naked eye, are an effective way to get tanners to reconsider their habits," says Pagoto. "To see it in your own skin is a jarring experience, especially for teens who really care about their appearance." Another strategy Wechsler has used: "I've shown teens photos of a truck driver with half of his face super wrinkly from sun exposure and the other side not — it's dramatic," she says.
Model good sun-behavior yourself. "Be an example for your kids and teens by avoiding tanning, seeking shade and wearing sunscreen and a broad-brimmed hat," says Wechsler. And maybe as you're smearing the screen on you can casually drop this stat from the Skin Cancer Foundation: "I hear that people who use sunscreen of at least SPF 15 daily show 24% less skin aging than those who don't use sunscreen daily."
Make sunscreen available everywhere: Out of sight, out of mind, right? "Make sunscreen very available in your house — put a bottle everywhere," says Pagoto. While dermatologists recommend a broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF of 30 or higher, Pagoto encourages you to buy a kind your teen likes, even if it's only SPF 15 or it's the spray variety. You need to start somewhere!
Ask for help: Does your sun-lover have younger siblings or cousins? Good! "Ask your teen to help the rest of the family stay on track with sunscreen use," says Pagoto. "Teens crave autonomy and independence, so putting them in a leadership role for the family may help shift their attitudes."
Connect it to their skin care routine: "If your teen is buying skin care products in the hope of achieving glowing, healthy-looking skin, remind them that tanning can cancel out those efforts," says Wechsler. "Ask: 'Ten years from now, do you want to look older than your friends who didn't tan?'"
Safer ways to glow: Teen-approved alternatives to tanning
"For teens that need to have a golden glow, I absolutely recommend self-tanners," says Wechsler. "There are many options out there, including spray tans and self-tanning products that look natural, and they won't damage your skin." Here are some to consider:
Teen-approved sunscreens they'll actually use
It's important to remember that self-tanners don't provide sun protection. "Your teen still needs to apply sunscreen and cover up with clothing, hats and sunglasses," says Wechsler. Again, 30 SPF is ideal, but if you need to take baby steps for your resistant teen, go for it.
For help finding a teen-friendly sunscreen, Vanchinathan recommends tinted mineral sunscreens that can potentially blend well into their skin, lightweight sunscreen gels and sprays or sticks that teens actually like using. "Remember, the best sunscreen is the one they'll use consistently," she says.
Some top teen picks include:
Spray sunscreen: Neutrogena Sport Active Defense SPF 30 Spray
Tinted sunscreen: CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 With Sheer Tint
Gel sunscreen: Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen
Lightweight lotion: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen
Stick sunscreen: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Mineral Sunscreen Stick
Sunscreen for darker skin: Black Girl Sunscreen
Meet our experts
Amy Wechsler, MD, a dermatologist and psychiatrist practicing in New York City and spokesperson for the Skin Cancer Foundation
Alison Owen, PhD, senior lecturer in health psychology at the University of Staffordshire in Stoke-on-Trent, England
Mary Wu Chang, MD, associate professor of dermatology and pediatrics at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and spokesperson of the Society for Pediatric Dermatology
Sherry Pagoto, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist and professor in the department of allied health sciences at the University of Connecticut and director of the UConn Center for mHealth and Social Media
Veena Vanchinathan, MD, board-certified dermatologist practicing in the San Francisco Bay Area and member of the American Academy of Dermatology
Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.