While young people engaging in risky behavior is nothing new, there seems to be a paradox in that this same generation is obsessed with sustainability and organic food. Green juice, anyone? With the focus today on climate change, millennials might not remember a time when one of humanity's biggest threats was the hole burning through the ozone layer, letting in all those skin-destroying UVB rays. That's a story of the past generation.
But can we really use that as an excuse? The risks associated with going sunscreen-free couldn't be any clearer — so why do some people just not seem to care? Not only is tanning an integral part of American culture (just imagine your summer vacation without a trip to the beach), but we're obsessed with sun-kissed skin. We idolize it. Who hasn't been told they look so great when sporting a bit of a bronzy pallor?
But the reality is that tan skin is the opposite of healthy. While the base tan isn't necessarily a myth — it does provide your skin with a level of protection, says Peter Wisch, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC — the damage has already been done. "Your body produced the pigment to protect your skin," Wisch explains. "You'll see the effects — age spots and wrinkles — in your 40s and 50s."
