Dermatologists Warn Against Getting a 'Base Tan' Before Summer

Experts say any tan is a sign of skin damage, and a base tan provides negligible protection from UV rays.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 7:00am

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Dermatologists are advising people against getting a 'base tan' before summer, as it provides only about SPF 3 of protection and is a sign of skin damage. They recommend using sunless tanners or tinted sunscreens instead to achieve a sun-kissed look without exposing skin to harmful UV radiation.

Why it matters

Tanning, whether from the sun or tanning beds, causes DNA mutations in skin cells that increase the risk of skin cancer over time. The cumulative damage from repeated sun exposure without adequate SPF protection is permanent and cannot be fully reversed.

The details

A base tan is meant to gradually build up melanin and prepare the skin for more sun exposure in the summer. However, dermatologists say this is a 'dangerous myth.' When skin darkens, it is a defense response to UV radiation, not a sign that the skin is adapting or building tolerance. Up to 80% of UV rays can penetrate cloud cover, meaning sun damage accumulates even on overcast days. Broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, applied daily and reapplied every two hours during outdoor time, is what actually provides meaningful protection.

  • Up to 80% of UV rays can penetrate cloud cover, meaning sun damage accumulates year-round.

The players

Hallie McDonald, MD

A board-certified dermatologist in Austin, Texas, and co-founder of ERLY.

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What they’re saying

“The idea of a base tan offering protection from sunburn is a dangerous myth.”

— Hallie McDonald, MD, Board-certified dermatologist

“When skin darkens, it is producing melanin as a defense response to UV radiation. But that response is a marker of damage, not a signal that the skin is adapting well.”

— Hallie McDonald, MD, Board-certified dermatologist

What’s next

For anyone who wants a sun-kissed look heading into warmer months, dermatologists recommend using sunless tanners containing dihydroxyacetone (DHA) or tinted sunscreens, which can provide the cosmetic result of a light tan without any UV exposure or DNA damage.

The takeaway

A base tan does not provide meaningful protection from UV rays and only serves to increase the cumulative skin damage caused by repeated sun exposure. The safest approach is to use sunless tanning products or tinted sunscreens to achieve a sun-kissed look, while also applying broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher daily.