TUESDAY, May 5, 2026 (NewsDay News) — According to a survey released by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), many Americans still engage in risky sun tanning behaviors fueled by misinformation, social media and persistent tanning myths.
The annual Practice Safe Sun Survey surveyed 1,132 US adults and was conducted online between January 19 and February 2, 2026.
The researchers found that 57 percent of Americans regularly use sunscreen, but one-third reported getting sunburned in the past year. Nearly half of Americans scored a C or lower on the sun protection knowledge test, despite two-thirds rating their habits as “good” or “excellent.” Knowledge scores were even lower among Generation Z (ages 18 to 29), with one-third receiving a D or F. Misinformation online can be a major factor in making decisions about sun safety, with 21 percent of respondents relying on Instagram or TikTok influencers for skin care advice, and 36 percent of Gen Z saying their main advice comes from these skin platforms. More than half of participants (52 percent) believe at least one tanning myth, including that tanning is safe if you don’t burn (29 percent) or that basic tanning can prevent sunburn or reduce cancer risk (19 percent).
“The effects of UV light exposure increase over time — premature aging and an increased risk of skin cancer, which is now the most common form of cancer in the United States,” Murad Alam, MD, president of the AAD, said in a statement. “The good news is that much of this damage can be prevented with simple sun protection habits.”
