Just when skinny jeans seemed ready to make a comeback, another old trend has decided to return: tanning.
Thanks in part to social media, bronzed skin is having a major moment among young adults. Videos showing off deep tans, bikini tan lines, and so-called “tanning secrets” are racking up millions of views. One viral clip alone has been viewed more than 11 million times, proving that a good tan can apparently break the internet almost as easily as a cat video.
And that’s where health experts start getting nervous.
According to the American Cancer Society, more than 100,000 new melanoma cases are expected to be diagnosed in the United States in 2026. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, and roughly 8,500 people are expected to die from it this year. Those numbers are enough to make any dermatologist reach for the SPF 50.
Even more concerning is the growing number of influencers promoting tanning beds, which many experts have spent years warning against. While tanning beds may promise a quick glow, they also expose the skin to ultraviolet radiation, which can increase the risk of skin damage and skin cancer. In other words, that sun-kissed look can come with a not-so-cute side effect.
None of this means people need to spend summer hiding indoors dressed like vampires. Experts simply encourage safer alternatives, whether that’s self-tanner, spray tans, or good old-fashioned sunscreen paired with some shade.
The bottom line? A tan may be trending, but healthy skin never really goes out of style. Your future self will probably appreciate fewer wrinkles, fewer sunspots, and fewer awkward conversations that begin with, “You should really get that mole checked out.”
