"Tan" a temporary "tan"... its price is skin damage and skin cancer
- Mohammed Al-Adwani: Causes burns, pigmentation, wrinkles, and premature aging
- Damages DNA and raises the risk of skin cancer by 70 percent
- Waleed Al-Filakawi: The belief that it gives the skin a healthy and attractive appearance... is wrong
- Ultraviolet rays cause cumulative damage, leading to “photoaging”
- Abdulaziz Al-Rashed: Necessity of wearing hats and sunglasses and avoiding direct exposure
- Sunscreen has become a medical necessity, not just a cosmetic product or a personal choice
- Ahmed Al-Mutairi: Sun protection is essential for those taking medications that increase skin sensitivity to light
- Importance of following sun protection measures and avoiding excessive exposure
Dermatologists and pharmacists have warned against the health risks associated with “tanning,” the process of darkening the skin to achieve a bronze or golden hue through excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. They emphasized that tanning does not confer health or beauty to the skin, as some believe, but instead causes cumulative damage, including burns, pigmentation issues, and premature aging, while increasing the risk of skin cancer.
Several doctors stressed the importance of daily sunscreen use and adopting various preventive measures to maintain skin health, especially given the heightened intensity of UV rays during the summer season in Kuwait.
For his part, dermatologist Dr. Mohammed Al-Adwani warned about the dangers of tanning on skin health, noting that “summer is considered a peak season for this practice, particularly with sunny weather. Many young people resort to tanning their bodies as part of their beauty routine by lying under intense sunlight, which causes skin burns, deep pigmentation in the skin layers, and contributes to the destruction of skin cells. This leads to skin aging and a dry, dull complexion, and in some cases, may result in certain types of skin cancer.”
Dr. Al-Adwani explained that “skin burns are among the most prominent harms of tanning, representing a clear sign of excessive UV exposure. They appear as redness and peeling, and may be accompanied by headaches or fever due to the immune system’s response to skin cell damage.”
He pointed out that “tanning and darkening the skin cause uneven skin tone and scattered dark spots of varying sizes, which are difficult to treat and may take a long time to fade.”
He added that prolonged exposure to harmful UV rays leads to the breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers and reduces their production in the skin, causing wrinkles and making the skin appear older than its natural age.
Al-Adwani emphasized that “UV rays damage DNA in skin cells, leading to abnormal and uncoordinated skin growth and the development of benign or malignant tumors, increasing the likelihood of developing various types of skin cancer by up to 70 percent.”
For his part, dermatologist Dr. Waleed Al-Filakawi confirmed that the belief that tanning gives the skin a healthy and attractive appearance is mistaken. He explained that UV rays penetrate deep into the skin layers and cause cumulative damage to collagen and elastin fibers—the proteins responsible for skin elasticity and youth. With repeated exposure, wrinkles, sagging, and pigmentation spots begin to appear, revealing what doctors refer to as “photoaging” over the years.
Al-Filakawi maintains that tanned skin is not an indicator of health, but rather a defensive response triggered by melanocytes in reaction to DNA damage within skin cells. In other words, what appears to be beauty on the surface is, in fact, an internal cry for help. In light of this, dermatologists agree that sun protection—using sunscreen daily and avoiding peak sun hours—constitutes the primary pillar for preserving skin health and youthfulness in the long term. He stressed the necessity of refraining from such practices that damage and degrade the skin, emphasizing their danger and adverse effects on skin health and quality.
For his part, Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Rashed, a consultant in dermatology and cosmetic medicine, stated that with rising temperatures in Kuwait and strong sunlight present for most of the year, the use of sunscreen has become a medical necessity, not merely a cosmetic product or a personal choice.
He added that daily sun protection is crucial, whether while driving, walking, exercising, or even sitting near windows that allow some harmful rays to penetrate.
He explained that ultraviolet rays can penetrate the skin even on days that are not extremely hot or are cloudy, causing cumulative damage whose effects may not appear until years later. Among the most prominent of these damages are skin pigmentation, the appearance of melasma, accelerated skin aging, premature wrinkles, and an increased risk of skin cancers with chronic, unprotected sun exposure.
Dr. Al-Rashed recommended choosing a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UV rays and has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 in Kuwait’s climate. It should be applied 15 to 20 minutes before sun exposure and reapplied every two hours when staying outdoors, or after heavy sweating or swimming.
He pointed out that some believe “people with dark skin do not need sunscreen,” which is a misconception. He noted that while darker skin contains higher levels of melanin, it does not prevent pigmentation, photoaging, or UV damage.
He emphasized that prevention is not limited to sunscreen alone; it also includes wearing hats, using high-quality sunglasses, and trying to avoid direct sun exposure during peak hours, particularly between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. He noted that sunscreen is not only for summer but is a healthy habit that should accompany us throughout the year, as prevention is always easier and less costly than treating complications.
For his part, pharmacist Ahmed Al-Mutairi highlighted guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) regarding the importance of following sun protection measures, including using appropriate sunscreen alongside protective clothing and avoiding excessive sun exposure.
Al-Mutairi stressed that the British National Formulary (BNF) indicates that protection against ultraviolet rays is essential, especially for individuals taking medications that may increase skin sensitivity to light, making sunscreen use an important part of maintaining skin health and preventing damage.
3. Addiction and Depression: Studies have found that individuals who frequently tan may become addicted to the practice and suffer from depression if they stop.
