Burn first, tan later? That’s not skincare. That’s building a case file.
By Janine Shore | Shore Dermatology
You’ve probably heard it.
You’ve maybe even said it:
“I always burn a little first, then it turns into a tan.”
Spoiler: that’s not skincare. That’s skin damage with a PR team.
Let’s clear this up once and for all—there is no such thing as a safe base tan.
And if your summer strategy starts with a burn, it’s time for a new one.
The Science: What That First Burn Actually Does
That “starter burn” you’re justifying? It’s cellular trauma.
When your skin burns, your body scrambles to protect itself—by darkening already-damaged cells. That’s not protection. That’s inflammation.
🔬 According to the Skin Cancer Foundation:
One blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles your chances of developing melanoma later in life.
Burning = DNA damage.
Repeated burns = elevated lifetime melanoma risk.
There is no SPF in a tan. Period.
The Fair-Skinned Myth
If you’ve got fair skin, freckles, red or light hair, or Irish/Scandinavian ancestry, here’s the deal:
✔️ You burn faster
✔️ You tan less
✔️ You age quicker
✔️ And yes—you’re at higher risk for every type of skin cancer
You’re not building a tan. You’re compiling a medical record.
But TikTok Says…
Influencers talk about “sun boosting,” “melanin training,” and “burn-to-tan” routines.
Some even recommend tanning oils with SPF 15 (aka body glitter with false hope).
Here’s what board-certified dermatologists actually recommend:
🧴 SPF 50 or higher, broad spectrum, re-applied every 80 minutes
🧢 UPF clothing and wide-brimmed hats
🕶️ Sunglasses that protect from UVA + UVB
☁️ Shade breaks, especially from 10am–2pm
💊 Optional: Heliocare (a supplement shown to reduce UV sensitivity)
And if you're seeing #SPF365 or #SkinBarrierTok content—those are the influencers worth listening to.
Want That Glow Without the Damage? Try This:
✔️ Use a high-quality self-tanner (we love the mousse formulas with a mitt)
✔️ Layer over well-moisturized skin for even results
✔️ Avoid fragrance-heavy brands if you’re acne-prone
✔️ Or better yet—embrace your natural skin tone and let good skincare do the glowing
There’s a reason “glass skin” is trending. And it’s not because it’s crispy.
Bottom Line: You Can Love Summer Without Hating Your Skin in October
✔ You don’t need to burn to “prep” your skin
✔ You don’t need a tan to look good
✔ And if you’ve already had that first red-shoulder moment this year? Book a skin check. Just to be safe.
📍 Want expert-level SPF recs? A pre-vacation skin consult?
Or just a friendly derm who won’t shame you for past sins?
We’ve got you.
🔗 drshoredermatology.com/skin-check
#BaseTanMyth #SkinThatBehaves #SPFAlways #ShoreDerm #NoBurnGlow