Sydney specialist dermatologist Dr Ritu Gupta was featured in The Sun-Herald and The Age for her views on the social media trend promoting visible tan lines from extended sun exposure. This “natural tanning” trend is all over TikTok and Instagram, with young creators sharing their routines, including how to achieve the deepest real tan and even apps that tell users when to go outside for the strongest result.
Dr Ritu expressed her concern about the trend. She explained that every tan represents damage to skin cells, and that the endpoint of accumulating that damage over years is melanoma. Her alternative suggestion was straightforward: rather than chasing bronzed skin, embrace a peaches-and-cream complexion instead.
It is a message she has returned to repeatedly. Dr Ritu has previously spoken about the deadly trend towards tanning in The Australian Newspaper, discussed melanoma on ABC Radio Sydney, and addressed skin cancer detection in The Australian.
Instead of spending hours in the sun to achieve a tan, there are safer ways to make skin glow, including fake tan products such as bronzing gels or powders. These create a suntanned look without the skin damage. Daily sun protection remains the most effective step available, and Dr Ritu has also addressed the SPF rating controversy that has left many Australians uncertain about which sunscreens to trust.
If you are concerned about existing sun damage, our guides to when a mole may be cancerous and treating sun damage and actinic keratosis cover what to look for and what can be done.
Read the full feature here: Ignore the influencers, there is nothing cool about “natural” tanning
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