Source: Fox News
Summary
Tanmaxxing, a social media trend among Gen Z, involves maximizing sun exposure and tanning the skin more intensely, often using tanning products and forgoing sun protection. Dermatologists warn that excessive sun exposure can be dangerous, with the World Health Organization classifying UV radiation and tanning beds as Group 1 carcinogens. Using a tanning bed before age 35 can raise melanoma risk by about 75%. Dermatologists emphasize that there is “no such thing as a safe, natural tan” and that tanning is a sign of DNA damage.
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This guidance has been heard before.
The tanmaxxing trend is a new spin on an old practice, with the same warnings from dermatologists. The World Health Organization has long classified UV radiation and tanning beds as carcinogens. The recommendation to use sunscreen and avoid tanning beds is not new, but the trend’s popularity among Gen Z is a reminder of the ongoing struggle to prioritize sun safety. The damage from excessive sun exposure compounds silently and shows up years later. The advice sounds familiar because it is.
Author: Evan Null
