The risks of tanning

Added: 2026-05-13

[00:00:00]From viral tanning trends to risky myths, Gen Z is choosing bronze skin over protection and dermatologists are concerned. Joining me now to talk more about that disconnect is Dr. Sil Kalia with the Canadian Dermatology Association. Good to speak with you >> and thanks for having me here today.

[00:00:20]>> I I understand this isn't a case of not being aware of the risks. In fact, based on a national survey the CDA conducted, Gen Z knows the risk but is still choosing to tan. Just how popular is tanning among this age group?

[00:00:35]>> Yeah, exactly what you highlighted. The knowledge level has improved. People do know that the risks of getting too much sun exposure and tanning. But however, people still do get too much sun exposure and tanning. And this is the generation. This is the age group that people still get a lot of sun exposure.

[00:00:54]And the reason why it is significant is because this is the risky period of time that subsequently leads to development of skin cancer.

[00:01:05]>> What lengths is Gen Z going to to get a tan? Are they, you know, laying in the sun using tanning beds and are some ways riskier than others?

[00:01:14]>> Yeah, you know, the problem is too much excessive UV rays is not good. Period.

[00:01:19]But it's a combination of both. A lot of it is it just from sunlight exposure and getting too much sun exposure. But unfortunately, we're still seeing people using tanning beds. In a recent survey that was done, it showed that up to 20 are actually using tanning beds, which is too high because we know that it leads to the development of skin cancer.

[00:01:40]>> What's driving this tanning trend among Gen Z? I mean, I'm Gen X. We're big on sunscreen and hats. So, what's changed?

[00:01:49]Yeah, you know, it's it's something that we've always seen uh in younger age populations, people do get more sun exposure and it is the fact that what happens is that at that age, people don't think about the long-term risk, right? The long-term risk of skin cancer that happens many years later. But I think what we're seeing more and we don't fully know why this behavior is happening. Sometimes this might be because of the social media influencers and that is that why people think that that tanning looking is healthy and and they're thinking of shortterm effects.

[00:02:21]So in short term they might think that their skin's looking more healthy with that tan appearance but ultimately we know with robust data that this tanning behavior does lead to the risky development of skin cancer.

[00:02:34]>> Well uh they might not be thinking about uh those risks at their age. Are you seeing rising rates among young people of you know melanoma or just sun damage?

[00:02:45]>> Yeah, so when we look at skin cancer rates, especially since skin cancer occurs many years later after they get too much of those UV rays, but skin cancer is definitely on the rise. It's one of the faster fastest growing cancers in terms of the rates of cancer rates. It is up there for sure. So we still seeing an increasing rate >> seeing as this is May and we will start very soon spending more and more time outside in the sun. What's the message?

[00:03:14]Uh what should people know?

[00:03:16]>> Yeah, you know it just using like a common sense approach is usually what we try telling people. So the Canadian dermatology association has provided recommendations that are pretty straightforward. We do want people to be active uh you know being active outdoors is healthy. There's general key steps that one can use to avoid getting too much sun rays, getting that tan appearance that we kind of trying to avoid and that includes just when you're outside trying those activities that are not between 11 to 4. Avoid where the sun is the most intense avoid those hours.

[00:03:52]So from we say 11 to 11 to 3 or 11 to 4.

[00:03:56]And then also try to seek shade whenever possible. So an environment where like either you're using in areas covered by trees or other shade structures is always uh encouraged. And then if you're out in the sun then try to use protective clothing that usually is very helpful. So that a widebrimmed hat whenever possible wearing long sleeve clothing whenever possible. And then if you can't do the above steps or like what you should get in a routine of doing all almost daily when the UV intensity is high is using that sunscreen, right? because that sunscreen does add another layer of protection especially in areas that are not covered like the face is very important.

[00:04:35]>> Well, Dr. Kelly, I want to thank you so much for the tips. It was great speaking with you. Thank you.