Is Getting a Base Tan Safe?

As summer approaches, you might be tempted to get a “base tan” before spending serious time in the sun. But there’s no such thing as a safe tan. In fact, no amount of tanning is safe for your skin.

“A tan won’t prevent skin cancer or skin aging. It’s much safer to use sun protection measures like sunscreen and sun-protective clothing to prevent skin damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation,” said Susan Swetter, MD, an American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) expert and Professor of Dermatology at Stanford Medicine.

Exposure to UV radiation from the sun and from indoor tanning devices adds up over a person’s lifetime. Protecting yourself from UV radiation can help lower your risk for skin cancer, as well as sunburn, premature aging of the skin, and eye problems.

What is a base tan?

Base tanning refers to getting a light tan before extended sun exposure, such as during a beach vacation. To get a base tan, some people might lay out in the sun. Others might use indoor tanning beds. The idea is to spend short amounts of time building the tan gradually. The belief is that a base tan can protect you from skin damage. But when it comes to skin protection, this is just one misconception.

Breaking down the myth of a base tan

When your skin is exposed to UV radiation, it may tan or burn. This exposure causes your skin’s pigment cells (melanocytes) to produce more pigment (melanin). “Melanin itself is protective by absorbing visible and UV light from the sun,” said Dr. Swetter. “People with lighter skin tones produce more melanin as a defensive mechanism, but tanning itself is harmful to the skin.”

Still, some people believe that a base tan might protect them from skin cancer. They may take fewer precautions and stay in the sun longer when they have a base tan. But doing so can lead to longer UV exposure and doesn’t lower your skin cancer risk.

Exposure to UV radiation causes DNA damage within the skin. Over time, too much UV exposure can increase your risk of skin cancer, including basal cell and squamous cell cancers and melanoma. Most skin cancers are caused by exposure to UV radiation.

Your skin cancer risk increases whether you get UV rays outside or indoors. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), indoor tanning can increase the risk of basal and squamous cell skin cancers by 40% and the risk of melanoma by 27%.

Safe alternatives to base tanning

If you like the look of a tan, you can try fake or sunless tan options like self-tanners instead. Self-tanners work by temporarily staining the top layer of the skin. “Self-tanners contain a chemical called dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which is safe because it doesn’t change melanin pigment production like UV radiation does,” said Dr. Swetter.

Self-tanners come in different forms, including moisturizers, powders, wipes, and sprays. Tans from these products often last around 5 to 10 days. It depends on your skin type, how the tan is maintained, and the type of self-tanner you use.

“It’s important to recognize, though, that a DHA-induced tan provides no sun protection,” said Dr. Swetter. “Sunscreen and other protective measures are still required to prevent skin damage when a person is outside.”

How to stay safe in the sun year-round

No matter what season it is, the best way to keep yourself safe from UV radiation is to stay out of the sun. Seek shade when possible. If this is not possible, avoid direct exposure whenever you can. Be especially careful to stay out of the sun between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when its rays are the strongest.

Other than staying out of the sun, experts recommend these ways to protect your skin from UV rays year-round:

• Talk to your doctor about any medications you’re taking that may make you more sun-sensitive than usual.
• Use an umbrella or canopy for outdoor activities when natural shade isn’t available.
• Wear sun-protective clothing that covers exposed skin.
• Apply and reapply sunscreen as directed on the label. Use it every time you go outside. Look for broad-spectrum sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or higher. Remember to put sunscreen on your face.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect your eyes, face, and head.

Learn more about sun safety and skin cancer from the American Cancer Society:

• Sun Safety Quiz
• Sun Safety Videos
• Skin Cancer Image Gallery
• Checking Your Skin for Signs of Skin Cancer
• How to Do a Skin Self-Exam

Dr. Swetter is an ASCO member.