4 Weird Ways People Are Tanmaxxing (Plus What Doctors Say About the Risks)

The pursuit of a sun-kissed glow is not a new goal, despite what dermatologists have to say about the dangers of UV (ultraviolet) exposure from the sun or tanning beds. But social media trends have taken the bronzing obsession, now nicknamed tanmaxxing, in some strange (and risky) directions.

While some of these methods may temporarily alter skin tone without UV exposure, that doesn’t mean they result in a true tan — or that they’re safe.

“The only safe way to get a tan is when it comes from a bottle,” in the form of self-tanners or bronzers, says Joshua Zeichner, MD, an associate dermatology professor and the director of cosmetic and clinical dermatology research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

Here’s what dermatologists want you to know about the latest tanning trends making the rounds.

Unlike tanning from sun exposure or tanning beds, carotenemia isn’t necessarily dangerous. “This is fundamentally different from a UV-induced tan, because you are not damaging DNA [in the skin] to produce it,” says Adam Friedman, MD, the chair of dermatology and a professor at the George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, DC.

“If someone wants to eat more carrots, wonderful,” Dr. Friedman says. “But if they are swallowing handfuls of beta-carotene supplements thinking they have discovered edible sunscreen, please swipe left.”

Melanotan II

“My concern with Melanotan II is twofold: You are manipulating a biologically consequential pathway [that controls skin pigmentation], and you are often doing it with a product whose actual contents are not quality assured,” Friedman says. “That is not a beauty hack. It’s an uncontrolled, mad scientist experiment.”

Afamelanotide (Scenesse)

Afamelanotide, sold under the brand name Scenesse, is FDA-approved to treat adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria, a rare condition that causes extreme light sensitivity, says Michael Christopher, MD, a Tucson, Arizona–based dermatologist specializing in melanoma and cutaneous oncology. The drug stimulates skin pigment production and must be administered by a healthcare professional.

The drug comes with risks even for people who need it for legitimate medical purposes, Christopher says. “However, because these patients suffer debilitating sun sensitivity, the risk of the medication is weighed with its benefit.” Afamelanotide is not safe to take outside of these circumstances, he says. Plus, if purchased online, it carries the same risks of potential contamination and unlisted ingredients.

Beta-Carotene and Lycopene Supplements

“Lycopene is likely not harmful for your skin, and may have some small benefit for UV-related protection; however, sunscreen and sun-protective clothing are still the main staples to protect your skin,” Christopher says.

Canthaxanthin

Copper

Plus, there are bigger dangers. “If someone coats their skin with an untested liquid and then deliberately stays in intense sunlight waiting to get darker, they have usually eliminated sunscreen, increased exposure time and potentially added an irritant to already UV-stressed skin,” Friedman says.

“The latest generation of self-tanning creams gives natural-looking color and doesn’t leave the skin looking streaky,” Zeichner says.

• Find your preference. Self-tanners come in a variety of formulas, consistencies, and shades that you can experiment with to see which works best for you. “Find one you like — that’s it,” Christopher says.

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• Exfoliate before applying. For more even coverage, Friedman recommends gently exfoliating beforehand, paying attention to areas like the elbows, knees, and ankles where self-tanner can accumulate.
• Apply to clean, dry skin. Blend carefully around the wrists, ankles, and hairline, and wash your hands afterward or use an application mitt.
• Use spray tans carefully. While DHA is FDA-approved for external application, avoid intentionally inhaling it or getting it into your eyes, lips, nose, or other mucous membranes, as internal exposure may have respiratory effects.

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• Keep using sunscreen. Sunless tanner provides color, not meaningful UV protection, Friedman says. Continue using broad-spectrum SPF 30 and other sun-protective measures while outdoors.