Dermatology Expert Dr. Selin Işık Says “Healthy Tanning” Is a Myth

Dermatology specialist Dr. Selin Işık, who works at Medicana International Hospital in İzmir, Turkey, explained that the common belief in a “healthy tan” is misleading. She noted that bronzing is the skin’s natural defensive response to ultraviolet (UV) exposure, where melanin production increases to mitigate DNA damage.

Işık warned that both UVA and UVB radiation cause skin harm: UVA penetrates deeper, accelerating aging, wrinkles and pre‑cancerous lesions, while UVB primarily causes sunburns. Prolonged exposure can lead to skin discoloration, premature aging, and an elevated risk of skin cancer. She emphasized proper sun‑protection practices, recommending generous application of sunscreen (about two finger‑widths for the face and neck and roughly 30‑35 ml for the whole body) at least 15‑30 minutes before outdoor activity, and using higher SPF levels for greater UVB blockage.