Some women, especially young ones, still think a tan makes them look their best, according to a new online survey by the American Academy of Dermatology.
About three-fifths of respondents aged 18 to 29 thought people looked more attractive with a tan, the survey found.
Slightly more than 71 percent of respondents in this age group agreed that ‘sun exposure is good for your health.’
In the past year, approximately 40 percent of respondents younger than 30 tried to get tan via various measures including tanning beds. One-fourth of respondents aged 18 to 29 years old were unsure if sun exposure can cause wrinkles. (It can.)
“Our survey showed that age was highly associated with tanning, as the respondents under age 30 were more likely to use tanning beds and spend time in the sun,” says dermatologist Zoe D. Draelos, MD, FAAD, in a press release. “Ultimately, seeking to change the color of your skin is self-defeating because exposure to ultraviolet radiation – either through tanning beds or by seeking the sun – can lead to wrinkles, prematurely aging skin and even a diagnosis of skin cancer.”
The AAD produced a television public service advertisement (PSA) targeting this group. The PSA, called “Born,” showcases the beauty of skin from infancy to toddlerhood to the teen years and asks women to change their thinking, not their skin, and stop tanning.
