Dermatologist shares urgent warning over ‘dangerous’ tanning trend sweeping Gen Z

A skincare expert is urging people not to fall for a viral tanning trend that’s been doing the rounds on TikTok this summer.

TikTok can be a goldmine when it comes to beauty tips and tricks, but not every viral hack is worth trying.

If you’re hoping to achieve a bronzed glow this summer, ‘tanmaxxing’ is one trend your skin definitely won’t thank you for.

The viral tan ‘hack’ encourages people to maximise their tan by spending longer periods under the sun or in sunbeds, usually with little to no sun protection.

SkinCycle founder Alice Henshaw is urging people not to fall for TikTok's 'tanmaxxing' trend.

Of course, we all want that summer glow, but ‘tanmaxxing’ by exposing your bare skin to ultraviolet (UV) rays isn’t quite the flex social media makes it out to be.

Alice Henshaw, founder of SkinCycles and Harley Street Injectables, told Tyla that the trend is based on the myth that tanning is somehow good for your skin.

“There is no such thing as a healthy tan from UV exposure,” she explained.

“Whether your skin burns or tans, UV rays are causing damage at a cellular level.”

So yes... your skin might be glowing, but underneath the surface it's telling a very different story.

Henshaw told Tyla that too much UV exposure doesn’t just leave you red, inflamed, and dehydrated.

“Over time, it significantly increases the risk of premature ageing, including wrinkles, loss of elasticity and uneven pigmentation, collagen and elastin breakdown, sun spots, broken capillaries, eye damage and skin cancers, including melanoma.”

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If you've already spent a little too long soaking up the sun this summer, don't panic.

Henshaw has shared her top tips to soothe your skin after 'tanmaxxing' too much.

"Get out of the sun immediately, cool the skin with a cool shower or compress, stay well hydrated, and apply a gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser or aloe vera gel," she advised.

"Avoid further sun exposure until your skin has full recovered."

Henshaw added that anybody who develops 'blistering, severe pain, fever, dizziness, or symptoms of heat exhaustion' after high UV exposure should seek medical advice as soon as possible.

Alice Henshaw has shared her top skincare tips to counteract the damaging effects of 'tanmaxxing'

While some treatments like chemical peels, microneedling, laser, IPL or collagen-stimulating injectables can help repair the skin improve the appearance of sun damage, Henshaw stresses they can't reverse the DNA damage caused by UV exposure or remove the increased risk of skin cancer.

"That's why daily broad-spectrum SPF 50 or 50+, combined with sensible sun protection habits, remains the most effective strategy for maintaining healthy, youthful skin," she said.

If you're still chasing that golden summer glow, Henshaw says you don't have to bake in the sun to get it.

Self-tanning lotions, gradual tanning lotions, and professional spray tans can all give you a bronzed look without exposing your skin to harmful UV rays.

Just don't make the mistake of thinking fake tan replaces sunscreen. SPF is still your skin's best friend, whatever the weather.