Background information

Is there such a thing as a "healthy tan"?

2-7-2025

Translation: machine translated

Anyone who tans their skin in the sun is putting their health at risk. Even cutesy terms such as "sun-kissed complexion" or "healthy tan" do nothing to change this.

As a teenager, I was constantly chasing the «healthy tan». A dangerous expression (as I know today) that I picked up in an issue of «Bravo Girl!» - somewhere between the Zac Efron Maxi poster and my promising love horoscope. In winter, I therefore reached for the iconic yellow self-tanning tube from Bebe Young Care. In summer, on the other hand, I pursued a dangerous strategy: I would lie oiled up in the blazing sun. Today I know better.

Empty words - with devastating consequences

Although we as a society are now more educated than ever about sun damage, the term is still used alarmingly often in conversations with others. «There is no such thing as a healthy sun tan», explains Joëlle Jufer, prevention expert at the Swiss Cancer League. «The tanning of the skin is a protective reaction to UV radiation and a sign that the skin cells have already been damaged.»

The Swiss Cancer League recommends products with a UVA logo and a sun protection factor of at least 30. For longer stays outdoors or for children, you should use a sun protection factor of 50. Important: Apply generously twice and reapply every two hours and after bathing or heavy sweating to maintain protection. Sunscreen should always be used in addition to shade and protective clothing. Shade and clothing are preferable as they provide good protection against UV rays.

According to Jufer, the longer-wave UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin, where they damage the connective tissue. The skin loses elasticity. The result: wrinkles, age spots and premature skin ageing. However, genetic damage can also occur, which increases the risk of skin cancer. Under the influence of the short-wave and high-energy UVB rays, the pigment cells produce the pigment melanin. This causes the skin to turn brown. This is how our skin tries to protect itself from UV rays. «However, the resulting tan only offers very limited protection against the harmful, carcinogenic UV rays and is by no means a substitute for key protective measures: Spending time in the shade, protective clothing and sun cream», emphasises Jufer.

Joëlle Jufer is a qualified nurse and health promoter. As a prevention expert at the Swiss Cancer League, she specialises in the topic of sun protection. She is committed to raising awareness of skin cancer prevention and motivating people to take a healthy approach to UV rays. For them, prevention work is an important tool for reducing non-communicable diseases and improving people's quality of life in the long term.

This article is part of a mini-series on the topic of sun protection in collaboration with the Swiss Cancer League. You can find previously published articles here:

Guide
Can you simply add up the sun protection factor from two products?
by Natalie Hemengül

Header image: Zolotarevs via Shutterstock

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Natalie Hemengül

Senior Editor

Natalie.Hemenguel@digitecgalaxus.ch

As a massive Disney fan, I see the world through rose-tinted glasses. I worship series from the 90s and consider mermaids a religion. When I’m not dancing in glitter rain, I’m either hanging out at pyjama parties or sitting at my make-up table. P.S. I love you, bacon, garlic and onions.

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