Whether you want to tan or not, the South African sun has decided for you. It’s been hot – relentless – and lately it feels like everyone’s automatically getting a little sun-kissed. A quick coffee break, a lunch break, sitting in traffic… suddenly there are tan lines you definitely didn’t sign up for.
Tanning still has a certain, I see, golden stamp to it: a sign of vacation, health and time outdoors. However, what we often forget is that a tan is not a shine, but a damage. It is your skin that responds to injury and produces melanin as a last defense against ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In other words, if your skin becomes darker, damage has already been done.
Meet the experts: Dr. Yashmita Lalloo is a dermatologist in KwaZulu-Natal. Dr. Tarryn Jacobs is a Pretoria-based consultant dermatologist who specializes in general medical dermatological conditions and the detection and treatment of skin cancer.
This is particularly true in South Africa, where there is an average of around 2,500 hours of sunshine per year – making us one of the most UV-exposed populations in the world. It might also explain why tanning feels almost inevitable here. The sun not only shines from above, it also reflects off sidewalks, sand, water and buildings and easily penetrates the cloud cover. Cloudy doesn’t mean sheltered. Shade doesn’t always mean safe.
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Do UVA, UVB or UVC rays make you brown?
The UV radiation that reaches us comes in two main forms: UVB and UVA. UVB is the most obvious factor responsible for sunburn and immediate DNA damage. UVA is quieter but longer-lasting and penetrates deeper into the skin, where it accelerates aging, suppresses immune function and contributes to long-term DNA damage that increases the risk of cancer. You may not feel it, but your skin feels it.
In 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified the entire UV spectrum as carcinogenic to humans. This includes natural sunlight and artificial sources such as tanning beds.
While the ozone layer blocks almost all UVC rays and most UVB rays, UVA rays still reach the Earth’s surface. The South African dermatologist Dr. Yashmita Lalloo explains, “As far as the ultraviolet spectrum is concerned, normally all UVC and most UVB rays are blocked by the ozone layer and only a fraction penetrates, but most of the UVA reaches the surface.”
However, it is important to note that UVB is still highly active and is directly responsible for sunburn, as well as playing a key role in the development of skin cancer. Dr. Tarryn Jacobs suggests that comprehensive sun protection should take into account UVB, UVA and, where appropriate, visible light, so that the importance of UVB is not inadvertently downplayed.
“No sunscreen blocks 100% of UV rays”
Skin cancer is increasing in South Africa
The effects are already visible. According to the Cancer Foundation of South Africa, more than 20,000 cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year. Most are nonmelanoma skin cancers, but melanoma—less common and far more aggressive—carries the highest risk of death.
And no, it doesn’t take a lifetime of beach vacations to increase this risk. Even a single blistering sunburn can significantly increase your risk of developing melanoma later in life. Repeated minor burns that are dismissed as “a bit of paint” slowly add up and cause DNA damage that does not resolve over time.
Can people with darker skin tones get a tan?
There is also a dangerous misconception that darker skin tones are not affected by sun damage. They are not. “Yes, this visible darkening after sun exposure is called a tan and occurs on all skin tones,” explains dermatologist Dr. Tarryn Jacobs. “People with darker skin, which contains more melanin (a pigment that gives skin its color), are less likely to get sunburned and are more likely to experience tanning after sun exposure.”
It is also important to note that all skin types can develop skin cancer, including melanoma. While melanin provides some natural protection, it does not provide immunity.
In darker skin types, melanomas often occur in sun-protected areas such as the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, or under the nails, and are not thought to be related to sun exposure. For this reason, the diagnosis is often made later when the results are worse.
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Can you still get a tan with sunscreen?
“Yes, because no sunscreen blocks 100% of UV rays,” explains Dr. Jacobs. “This is especially true if you don’t apply enough (which is the case for most people), if you don’t reapply, or if you’re in the sun for long periods of time.” Unfortunately, it is a reality that most people can get by without SPF.
“It’s also important to remember that sun protection is only one part of a sun protection strategy and should go hand in hand with seeking shade [and] Wearing hats and sun-protective clothing.”
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Can you get a tan without damaging your skin?
Aside from cancer, chronic sun exposure accelerates premature skin aging in the form of fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, and eye damage, including cataracts. These are not just aesthetic concerns; They are visible markers of long-term cell damage.
So even if the heat continues and the tan keeps creeping in, whether planned or not, you should remember: in South Africa, sun exposure is inevitable, but skin damage doesn’t have to be.
Frequently asked questions
Does a tan mean your skin is healthy?
No. Dermatologists say that a tan is a sign that your skin has already suffered UV damage.
Which UV rays cause tanning?
Both UVA and UVB contribute to tanning and skin damage.
Can you tan through clouds?
Yes. UV rays can penetrate cloud cover.
