A TikTok tanning trend is making the rounds on social media. Here’s why it’s dangerous

Young people have been burning off tan lines on their chests in a social media trend that’s worrying experts because Generation Z doesn’t understand the importance of sun protection.

Several videos posted on TikTok show young girls flaunting a halterneck bikini tan line.

But experts warn that there is never a safe way to get a tan.

What is the tanning trend on TikTok?

On TikTok and Instagram, influencers show off their tan lines, and some even show off their “tanning routines.”

In one video, a user says, “Sometimes a girl just gotta do what she gotta do to get a tan.”

In others, users look at the sun with a voiceover saying, “Burn it. Did I say stand there and look stupid? No, I said burn it.”

Basically, they ask the sun to burn their skin to get a tan.

The hashtag #sunburnttanlines has more than 200 million views on TikTok.

The videos also encourage or show users to tan during high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, including clips titled “come and get a UV tan with me.”

They promote the UV index, a measure of the amount of UV rays reaching Earth and their potential to harm the body, as a tool rather than a warning.

Charging…

Some users say that tanning at levels between 7 and 11 (high and extreme) provides the best results.

Anything above level 3 means sun protection is required.

Cancer Council chief executive Mark Nevin says it is worrying to see the glamorisation of tanning culture.

“Young people believe tan lines are desirable and search social media for burns and tans,” Nevin tells ABC.

“This behavior is dangerous as young people deliberately expose themselves to harmful ultraviolet radiation and are at increased risk of developing skin cancer.

Some sun lovers are also promoting apps that create “personalized tanning routines” that determine how long you should stay in the sun to get the tan you want.

One specific app, which ABC has chosen not to name, is marketed in Apple’s App Store with the tagline: “Achieve your perfect glow.”

The app asks users to upload photos of their skin tone and choose their “perfect shade,” then uses AI to judge the day’s UV levels and how long a person should be in the sun.

Nevin says it’s “disappointing to see any app that enhances tanning and facilitates dangerous attitudes and behaviors” toward it.

Why is it dangerous?

UV rays cannot be seen or felt and are present even on colder or cloudier days.

This makes UV radiation especially dangerous because it only 15 minutes of unprotected exposure (when UV rays are above level 3) is enough to start causing skin damage. and puts you at higher risk of developing skin cancer.

Cancer Council research shows that the majority of people aged 18 to 30 want to tan, and almost nine out of 10 tan intentionally or unintentionally.

Nevin says that when unprotected skin is exposed to the sun, the structure and behavior of cells can change.

“Australian culture glamorizes tanning, and this trend in tan lines (whether from real burns, suntans or fake tans) contributes to harmful pro-tanning attitudes.

“These attitudes can lead young people to engage in dangerous tanning behaviors, as they prioritize tanning over protecting their health.

“Social media, celebrities, influencers, fashion brands, media and friends support, amplify and reinforce these attitudes.”

That’s why the Cancer Council’s new campaign is calling on Australians to stop normalizing tanning. is called End the trend.

“We want young people to feel empowered to be the ones to stop the trend of skin cancer,” Nevin said.

“This campaign harnesses Gen Z culture and the power of influencers, fashion and lifestyle media to challenge young Australians’ dangerous attitudes towards tanning and encourages them to use all forms of sun protection when the sun’s rays UV are three or more.”

Some social media personalities are also speaking out about the worrying change in tanning.

Laura Henshaw has released a two-part video in the hope of educating young people about skin cancer in Australia.

“This is not something we should do for aesthetic reasons,” he said.

“The higher the ultraviolet rays, the more dangerous the sun is and the more you have to protect yourself.

“Is a three- or four-week tan line worth risking your life and increasing your risk of melanoma?”

Belle Bower, who lost her father to melanoma, couldn’t understand the trend either.

“It’s 2024 and my mind is boggled by the fact that our generation is the one that has received so much education about skin cancer, yet every time I open my phone I see influencers mindlessly promoting melanoma because they know nothing.” better,” he said.

How many Australians die from melanoma each year?

Nearly 2,000 Australians die every year from skin cancer: an Australian dies every 6 hours.

Two out of three will develop skin cancer in your life, a diagnosis that is almost entirely preventable.

How to stay safe in the sun

Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world.

Therefore, protecting yourself from the sun is extremely important.

Adopting a few daily habits can keep you protected from harmful sun exposure. Here is the The Cancer Council’s seven tips:

• Download the SunSmart Global UV app to check your local UV index. You can even activate notifications to receive alerts when you need to protect yourself from the sun.
• Place broad spectrum sunscreen SPF50+ in your bag or backpack
• Put a wide brim hat somewhere you can access while traveling, for example a car
• Hang a hat on a hook by the front door.
• Keep a long sleeve shirt with your beach bag
• Save a couple of sunglasses in your car or in your daily bag
• Establish a 2 hour timer on your phone like reminder to reapply your sunscreen

And if that’s not enough, try remembering this helpful rhyme: “Slip, slide, slap, search and slide.”

• Slide in protective clothing
• dirty water in sunscreen
• Slap in a hat
• Look for shade whenever you can
• Slide in sunglasses

Research shows that only half (53.9 per cent) of Australians use three or more forms of sun protection when exposed to the sun during peak UV radiation hours.

“We encourage Australians to embrace their natural, healthy skin tone, monitor their UV level when going outdoors and use all five forms of sun protection whenever the UV level is three or higher,” says the Mr. Nevin.