Does a ‘Base Tan’ Really Protect Your Skin?

Summer’s fast approaching, and some people still believe getting a “base tan” offers protection from sunburn.

Dermatologists say not so fast—in fact, the idea of a base tan might be one of the most common (and dangerous) myths in skin care.

Base tanning is the idea that a light tan can help protect your skin from sunburn later on.

Many people try to get a base tan from natural sunlight or a tanning bed before going on vacation.

The truth? A base tan is still a tan, and there’s no such thing as a safe tan. The change in your skin color is simply a sign of sun damage, which can increase your risk of skin cancer.

No, a base tan cannot prevent a sunburn. “The claim that a base tan protects against sunburn is a myth,” Elizabeth Bahar Houshmand, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist in Dallas, Texas, told Health. 

Although an existing tan provides sun protection, the benefits are minimal. “The reality is that a tan confers only an approximate sun protection factor (SPF) of 2 to 4 for your skin,” Veena Vanchinathan, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in San Jose, California, told Health.

This sun protection factor is far too low to protect your skin from sunburn and is well below SPF 30, the minimum SPF recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology.

“There are actually no dermatologic benefits in getting a base tan,” said Vanchinathanb, but there are quite a few risks.

It increases skin cancer risk.

Tanning is a sign of skin damage—more specifically, the ultraviolet (UV) radiation your skin cells are exposed to during tanning damages their DNA.

“Skin damage starts with your very first tan,” said Houshmand. “Each time you tan, the damage builds up, creating more genetic mutations and greater risk.”

Damage to your skin cells’ DNA can cause them to grow abnormally, potentially leading to skin cancer. Tanning beds, commonly used for base tanning, are especially dangerous.

“Indoor tanning can increase the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma by 58% and basal cell carcinoma by 24%,” said Houshmand.

It speeds up skin aging.

Premature aging from sun exposure, also known as “photoaging,” happens when UV rays break down the collagen and elastin in your skin.

According to Vanchinathan, accelerated skin aging can look like wrinkles, brown spots, and uneven skin tone.

The FDA says premature skin aging is a long-term side effect of sun exposure, which means it could show up years after you’ve spent time tanning (or burning).

It weakens your immune system.

Overexposure to UV rays may suppress your immune system, which can reduce the effects of vaccinations, cause reactions to medications, and even increase your sensitivity to sunlight.

Although sun exposure is one way to get vitamin D, an immune-boosting vitamin, it’s not the only (or safest) way to get your daily dose.

“Tanning and sun exposure are not ideal ways to get Vitamin D,” said Vanchinathan. “Dermatologists recommend incorporating vitamin D-fortified foods and beverages into your diets to get vitamin D.” Supplements are another easy way to get more of the nutrient.

• Use sunscreen daily: Preferably one that is broad-spectrum (protection from UVA and UVB rays) and with a minimum SPF of 30.
• Avoid peak UV hours: The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Wear UV-protective clothing: Wear hats and long-sleeved shirts with ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) ratings.
• Eat sun-protective foods: Fruits and vegetables high in lycopene, like tomatoes and watermelon, may offer some natural protection from UV rays.

There’s no such thing as a safe tan—base tans included. If you want to safely enjoy the sun without risking a painful burn, future skin cancer, or premature aging, use sunscreen daily, wear protective clothing, avoid peak hours when necessary, and skip the tanning beds.