Burning is risky – so why are tan lines having their time in the sun on social media?
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Gen Z influencers spruik tan lines as summer’s ‘fav accessory’ to generation ‘obsessed’ with looks. In life, there are lots of pleasurable things that we know aren’t that good for us: simple carbs deep-fried in vegetable oil, drinking one or two wines over the recommended limit at dinner with friends, and sitting in the Australian sun.
But despite the risk of cancer and early death the latter poses, parts of the internet are now encouraging extensive time in the sun. It’s not exactly back to the ‘70s when it was all about dousing skin in baby oil and frying in the sun on Bondi. Instead, TikTok has gone ham for tan lines - the contrast of colours across the chest after getting burnt in a bikini.
The hashtag #sunburnttanlines has more than 200m views on TikTok, while #suntan has almost 1m on Instagram, with users sharing videos of themselves tanning in high UV or showing off their lines after being outside. Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email.
In one video, a voiceover asks the tanning woman if she can talk to her about melanoma. “I don’t know her, luv,” she answers. In another, a girl promotes an app that gives users a “personalised tanning routine” while she bakes in 13UV. Australia’s Cancer Council recommends sun protection whenever UV levels reach 3 or higher, with levels between 6 and 7 classified as high and anything above 11 as extreme.
