Smartphone applications claiming to offer "safe" and "healthy" tanning routines are being promoted by influencers, contributing to an increase in tanning culture among Australian teenagers. These apps, some suitable for users as young as four and ranked highly in app stores, suggest claims like "get your best tan safely" and "get a healthy glow faster".
How Tanning Apps Function
Users of these applications can select ideal skin colors, such as "espresso glow" or "golden bronze," and choose tanning intensity levels like "mild" or "intense." The apps then recommend specific sun exposure routines, guiding users on duration. Some also prompt the use of body oils, tanning butters, and accelerants.
Dermatologist Warns Against "Safe Tan" Myth
Dr. Deshan Sebaratnam, a dermatologist at the University of New South Wales, stated that the concept of a "safe tan" from UV exposure is inaccurate.
A tan indicates skin cell damage caused by ultraviolet radiation, which triggers melanin production.
He emphasized that any skin color change from UV exposure signifies damage, regardless of how slowly it occurs. UV damage can lead to DNA mutations that increase the lifetime risk of skin cancer, particularly when sustained early in life. Dr. Sebaratnam also warned against using tanning accelerants or oils, noting they could increase photosensitivity and lead to severe burns.
Public Health Concerns and Misconceptions
Emma Glassenbury, head of the Cancer Council Victoria's SunSmart program, voiced concerns about a resurgence in tanning interest among young people. A December poll by The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne indicated that 23% of surveyed teens aged 12 to 17 falsely believed a tan protects against skin cancer, and half expressed a preference for looking tanned. Approximately 2,000 Australians die from skin cancer each year.
SunSmart is raising awareness about the risks associated with these tanning apps, stating they undermine public health efforts to reduce skin cancer rates.