'Tanmaxxing' and the Gen Z Tanning Bed Comeback Dermatologists Fear
Romanticized tanning content is surging again on TikTok; here are the hard melanoma numbers behind why dermatologists are alarmed.
A 2025 AAD survey found that 20% of Gen Z prioritize a tan over protecting their skin. Research shows tanning-bed users are nearly three times as likely to develop melanoma, and one indoor session before age 35 can raise melanoma risk by 75%.
Dermatologists and skin-cancer experts emphasize that there is no safe way to tan with UV; a tan represents DNA damage, and indoor tanning sharply increases melanoma risk, especially when started young.
Questions we get a lot
How much do tanning beds raise melanoma risk?
Tanning-bed users are nearly three times as likely to develop melanoma, and even a single indoor tanning session before age 35 can raise melanoma risk by about 75%. The risk is significant precisely because the exposure is concentrated and intentional.
Is a tan actually a sign of healthy skin?
No. A tan is a visible sign of UV-induced DNA damage, which is the same process linked to skin cancer. NPR's 2025 reporting underscored that tanning-bed users face elevated skin cancer risk, including in less expected areas of the body.
Why are dermatologists worried about Gen Z and tanning?
A 2025 AAD survey found 20% of Gen Z prioritize a tan over protecting their skin, a worrying attitude given how strongly indoor tanning is tied to melanoma. The Skin Cancer Foundation debunks the persistent myth that tanning is harmless.
r/SkincareAddiction: 'Everyone on my FYP is back to tanning beds and calling it self-care. How bad is one session, really?'