A troubling trend is emerging in Australia as smartphone applications that promote “safe” tanning routines are gaining popularity, particularly among teenagers. These apps, which often target users as young as four, are contributing to a resurgence of tanning culture that poses significant risks to skin health, as highlighted by experts in dermatology and public health.
The Rise of Tanning Culture
Popular apps marketed with slogans like “Get your best tan safely” are encouraging a dangerous mindset among youth, equating suntans with health and beauty. One such app, which is rated appropriate for users aged four and up, has become a top download in the weather category on the Apple App Store. By inviting users to select their desired skin tones and levels of tanning intensity—ranging from “mild” to “intense”—these applications are misguiding young Australians about the safety of UV exposure.
The app experience often includes recommendations for body oils, tanning butters, and accelerants, which users are encouraged to apply to enhance their tanning results. Following this, the apps provide tailored tanning schedules, instructing users on when and for how long they should expose themselves to sunlight in order to achieve their desired skin colour.
Expert Warnings
Dr Deshan Sebaratnam, a dermatologist and associate professor at the University of New South Wales, has voiced strong concerns regarding the notion of a “safe tan.” He asserts that a tan represents a distress signal from the skin, indicating damage caused by ultraviolet radiation. “There is no such thing as a safe tan,” he states emphatically, adding that the only truly safe option is a fake tan.
Dr Sebaratnam warns that any change in skin colour signifies damage, regardless of how gradual the process appears. He highlights that early-life UV damage significantly increases the risk of developing skin cancer later on, as the mutations caused by UV radiation can remain in the DNA of skin cells long after the skin appears to have healed.
The Impact on Young Lives
The Cancer Council Victoria’s SunSmart programme, led by Emma Glassenbury, has noted an alarming trend among parents who are increasingly worried about their children seeking tanning lines and inquiring about UV levels. A recent poll from The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne revealed that 23% of teenagers aged 12 to 17 mistakenly believe that a tan can protect them from skin cancer, while half expressed a preference for looking tanned.
With approximately 2,000 Australians succumbing to skin cancer each year, this misinformation poses a serious public health challenge. Glassenbury states, “We’re urging all Australians not to buy into these dangerous tanning apps because they’re just simply too risky, particularly for our young people.”
The Role of Public Health Campaigns
For decades, initiatives like SunSmart have sought to reshape Australian attitudes towards tanning, promoting sun safety and healthier practices. The emergence of these tanning apps threatens to undermine such efforts, rekindling interest in tanning trends that public health campaigns have worked diligently to dispel.
The allure of a sun-kissed glow is proving difficult to resist, especially for impressionable youths influenced by social media and peer pressure. As experts continue to highlight the dangers associated with UV exposure, the importance of education and awareness surrounding sun safety remains paramount.
Why it Matters
The rise of tanning apps targeting young Australians underscores a critical public health concern. With the potential for long-term damage from UV exposure, it is imperative that society fosters a better understanding of skin health and the risks associated with tanning. By supporting evidence-based public health initiatives and challenging the harmful narratives perpetuated by these applications, we can protect future generations from the devastating consequences of skin cancer.
