What to know
- ‘Tanmaxxing’ and ‘UV chasing’ refer to intentionally seeking the highest UV exposure to achieve the darkest tan possible.
- Dermatologists say any tan is a sign of skin damage, and repeated exposure accelerates photo-aging and increases cancer risk.
- Myths about sun safety persist, but experts stress the importance of sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade.
- The best way to protect your skin—and your future—is to avoid intentional tanning and monitor changes in your skin.
Thinking about “tanmaxxing” or “UV chasing” this summer? Experts warn these viral trends could do more harm than good.
As the first day of summer, June 21, approaches and the weather’s been warming up, “tanmaxxing” and “UV chasing” have become a big topic on social media.
About the trend
Many GenZers are hoping to get bronzed skin and their “hot girl summer body” by tanmaxxing by jumping at every opportunity they can to tan.
@alim_kh0 Tanmaxxing ☀️#tanning #sun #fyp ♬ Tech house playlist link in my bio – groovebassment
Others are chasing high UV levels to amplify their tan.
@waterwithann s&p index? I only know UV index 📈 #nyc #fyp #nycheatwave #uvindex #tanning ♬ Roman Holiday Sped Up – Jadyn
What is tanmaxxing according to an expert?
Head of Dermatology at UHN, Dr. Cheryl Rosen, explained that tanmaxxing stems from people wanting to get the darkest tan possible.
“This is a new trend to get very dark, not use sunscreen, and even use the UV index to find the time of day where the UV is the greatest and use that time to tan,” she told Now Toronto.
How is this harmful?
Rosen explained that a tan is your skin’s response to being injured.
“Your skin is trying to protect you by increasing melanin production, and that is one way that the skin can help you, or can help itself from being damaged further,” she said. “Ultraviolet radiation is able to damage DNA, damage proteins in the skin, and ultimately can lead to skin cancer.”
Some people might chase a tan, but it’s only temporary. But what isn’t, is photo aging.
“Over time it can lead to photo aging, which is wrinkles looking older than you want to look. If you look at somebody’s face compared to their abdomen, where they get very little sun exposure. That difference is caused by chronic sun exposure over the years,” Rosen explained.
What experts recommend instead
But experts are advising against these trends, saying they could drive the generation toward a higher lifetime skin cancer risk.
UHN estimated 11,300 people in Canada will be diagnosed with skin cancer in 2026, as myths on skin health keep taking lives online.
Dr. Cheryl Rosen sees countless patients with sun-damaged skin, skin cancers, and photoaging.
(Sun exposure is particularly dangerous for immunosuppressed organ transplant patients. Their risk of squamous cell carcinoma (the second most common form of skin cancer) is up to 100 times higher than the general population.
Dr. Marcus Butler, Site Lead for Melanoma at UHN’s Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, often sees melanoma patients in their 50s and 60s who regret sunburns from their youth. Dr. Butler notes that the best way to prevent melanoma is to prevent sun exposure.
Because of the large number of patients needing assessment, the Petersen/Turofsky Rapid Assessment Clinic at Princess Margaret has opened to bolster skin cancer care at UHN: speeding up diagnoses and helping connect patients with timely access to care. It’s important to get assessed if you notice changing moles, irregularly shaped skin spots, bleeding spots, or other skin changes.)
Experts Dr. Marcus Butler, site lead for Melanoma at UHN’s Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and Dr. Cheryl Rosen, head of dermatology, recommend these methods to protect your skin.
- Wear sunscreen; it helps prevent skin cancer.
Dr. Rosen recommends SPF 60, explaining that humans don’t apply half as much as recommended in testing. She also adds when to reapply.
“The government says Health Canada and the FDA say to reapply every two hours, but if you’re just sitting there under a tree reading a book, then you probably don’t need to reapply every two hours. It’s probably still fine. It’s especially important to reapply if you’ve been swimming or sweating, that sort of thing,” she said.
- UV radiation from the sun and tanning beds are the main cause of most skin cancer, so use self-tanning lotion for a darker skin tone instead of seeking the sun.
- Living in the north doesn’t eliminate UV risk, so monitor the UV index and increase your protection when it’s high. Snow and water reflect UV rays, amplifying exposure.
- Seek shade, especially between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- Wear protective clothing, a hat, and UV-protective sunglasses.
- Check your skin and see a health care provider.
Experts also bust some common myths:
- A tan is proof of sun damage; it provides minimal protection against sunburns.
- Staying hydrated will not prevent sunburns.
Remember to have fun while protecting your skin
“Canada’s summer is too short. We have to get outside, we have to canoe, we have to play tennis, we have to run, we have to do whatever we want outside, but protect yourself as best you can,” Rosen said. “The fact that people think that having tan lines looks sexy, or that having a tan makes them look more attractive, is unfortunate. They’re because they’re harming their skin.”
