Tanning is on everybody’s mind as Summer is almost here. Before you jump in the line to get tanned, you may want to learn about common myths associated with the popular beauty treatment.
The Summer temperatures can cause a series of heat-related health issues – you wouldn’t want tanning to be one of them. But you can still protect yourself by being aware of some of the most widely spread misconceptions.
Dermatologist debunks 5 myths about tanned skin
Board-certified dermatologist Andrea Suarez Aka Dr. Dray uses her TikTok video to educate people about tanning and its harmful effects often overlooked or downplayed in social media and other platforms.
Tanning doesn’t protect your skin
It’s a common misconception that tanned skin is protected from sunburn, and Dr. Dray couldn’t emphasize more on this.
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It doesn’t matter if you’re lying under natural sunlight or getting treated in a tanning center as your skin is still vulnerable to damage from sunlight. The dermatologist says it can compromise the immunity of your skin.
She recommends using sunscreens, seeking shade, or wearing clothes that can protect your skin from sunlight rather than counting on the tan.
It can be ‘addictive’
Tanning is one of the things that isn’t good just because it makes you feel good. Dr. Dary says tanning leads to the production of opioid-like chemicals in the skin that activate a part of the brain that ‘supports addictive behavior”.
This may as well be the reason why you can’t wait to get tanned time and again without realizing its harmful effects.
Lying in the sun for ‘Vitamin D’ isn’t safe
Lying under direct sunlight to get tanned is an idea you may want to ditch as the dermatologist warns against it.
While it is true that exposing yourself to sunlight helps produce Vitamin D, not all of the natural source is good for your health.
UVA, a component of the ultraviolet rays responsible for tanning “degrades” the Vitamin D in the skin, claims the dermatologist, while UVB is a minor component that’s considered beneficial.
Skin is more prone to infections
Exposing your skin to the sun to get tanned makes it “thin” and vulnerable to infections, says Dr. Dray.
It’s believed to “suppress the immune system in your skin”, which can be the cause of cancer in the later stages of your life as it compromises the organ’s ability to clear out pre-cancerous cells.
No, tanning doesn’t prevent acne breakouts
You’re only hurting your skin more by trusting a tan to cure your breakouts. The dermatologist says it’s among the biggest myths that getting tanned will prevent acne.
Dr. Dray says acne may temporarily improve with sun exposure, but it can rebound and worsen. When medical professionals use phototherapy to treat skin disorders, the dosage and wavelength are monitored, which is unlikely with direct exposure to the sun.
Dr. Andrea Suarez is a Denver-based dermatologist with over 12 years of experience. She graduated from the University of Colorado School of Medicine in 2011 and has gained popularity over the years for her content related to all things skincare on social media. She boasts over 500,000 followers on Instagram and TikTok.
