Tanning myths

Don’t believe everything you see on the Internet. Especially when it comes to protecting yourself from skin cancer.

Euromelanoma exists to provide accurate, trustworthy information
about skin cancer: what it is, how to prevent it and how to detect it.
Our many thousands of dermatologists across Europe are concerned
about the proliferation of inaccurate, baseless and dangerous claims
being made about UV exposure and sun protection on the Internet –
especially via social media.

This campaign is addressing five worryingly common myths:

 

1. Having a base tan stops you getting sunburn

2. Sunscreen gives you cancer

3. Exposure to UV rays is healthy

4. Sunbeds should be used before holidays

5. Wearing sunglasses increases risk of sunburn

 

 

Please, know the facts, so you can make smart
choices about managing your skin cancer risk.

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THE LIE: 1

 

“A BASE TAN STOPS YOU GETTING SUNBURN”

THE TRUTH

 

  • Having a tan is the equivalent of an SPF of only 2 to 4
  • Excessive sun exposure will still lead to skin damage
  • Keep using sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and find the shade
     

Sayre, Robert M et al. Skin type, minimal erythema dose (MED), and sunlight acclimatization. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 5, Issue 4, 439 – 443, October 1981

THE LIE: 2

 

“SUNSCREEN GIVES YOU CANCER"

THE TRUTH

 

  • Applying sunscreen protects the skin, so reduces risk of skin cancer
  • Modern sunscreen formulas are subject to strict testing and regulation
  • Use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, ideally 50

Sander M, Burbidge T, Beecker J. The efficacy and safety of sunscreen use for the prevention of skin cancer. CMAJ. 2020 Dec 14

Green AC, Williams GM, Logan V, Strutton GM. Reduced melanoma after regular sunscreen use: randomized trial follow-up. J Clin Oncol. 2011 Jan 20;29(3):257-63.

THE LIE: 3

 

“EXPOSURE TO UV RAYS IS HEALTHY"

THE TRUTH

 

  • Vitamin D is important for bone, muscle and immune health
  • Overexposure to the sun is not a safe way to get Vitamin D
  • Most people get enough Vitamin D from normal daily daylight

Spiro A, Buttriss JL. Vitamin D: An overview of vitamin D status and intake in Europe. Nutr Bull. 2014 Dec.;39(4):322-350.

THE LIE: 4

 

"USE SUNBEDS TO GET A BASE TAN BEFORE HOLIDAYS"

THE TRUTH

 

  • A base tan gives almost no skin protection - the equivalent of SPF 2-4
  • Sunbeds deliver very high doses of UV radiation - which causes skin cancer
  • Just one blistering sunburn in childhood/adolescence double the risk of developing melanoma later

Sayre, Robert M et al. Skin type, minimal erythema dose (MED), and sunlight acclimatization. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 5, Issue 4, 439 – 443, October 1981

Schulman JM, Fisher DE. Indoor ultraviolet tanning and skin cancer: health risks and opportunities. Curr Opin Oncol. 2009 Mar;21(2):144-9

‘Sunburn & Your Skin’, Skin Cancer Foundation

THE LIE: 5

 

“YOU ARE MORE LIKELY TO GET SUNBURNED IF YOU
WEAR SUNGLASSES"

THE TRUTH

 

  • Sunburn happens when the skin is exposed to UV radiation
  • Wearing sunglasses has no bearing on how sunlight aects the skin
  • Sunglasses should be worn because they protect your eyes from the sun

Masili, Mauro, Fernanda O. Duarte, and Liliane Ventura. "Evaluation of solar ultraviolet blocking by sunglasses and their compliance with recommended safety limits." Research on Biomedical Engineering, 2025 41.1 (2025): 5.