First it was likes, then views, then follower counts — now, Gen Z has a new obsession to refresh: the UV index.
Teens are now tracking the UV index the way day traders monitor the market. When that number spikes, so does the rush to the nearest patch of grass, beach or rooftop. Their goal? To time tanning with military precision — and they’re skipping school, sports practice and even social events to catch those prime rays.
Search “UV index tanning” on TikTok, and you’ll find no shortage of breathless updates: “UV is 8 rn GO LAY OUT!!!” or “It’s hitting 9 at 1 p.m. tomorrow, canceling all plans.” There are even apps sending alerts when the sun is at its strongest — turning what was once a public health tool into a tanning hype machine.
What is the UV Index?
The UV index is a scale developed by the National Weather Service and the Environmental Protection Agency to measure the strength of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. It ranges from 1 (low) to 11+ (extreme). The higher the number, the greater the risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage. Anything above 3 signals that precautions like sunscreen, shade and protective clothing are needed.
But for many teens, a high number means something else entirely: tan time.
Sunburns Are Trending — And That’s Not a Good Thing
A recent survey by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) found that more Gen Zers were sunburned in 2024 than in previous years — despite reporting that they know how to protect their skin. The disconnect? While they’re aware of the risks, many simply aren’t concerned about them. In fact, fewer than 30% of Gen Z respondents said they’re worried about skin cancer.
“While skin cancer can occur anywhere on the skin, including non-sun exposed areas, the number one risk factor is UV from sun exposure,” said Gideon Smith, MD, Ph.D., M.P.H., chair of Dermatology at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School at ϲ. “While the tan may fade, the damage UV invokes at the cellular level often does not and with each exposure people increase their risk of skin cancer.”
That’s not just a scare tactic: just one blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence can nearly double the risk of melanoma later in life. Yet some teens are bypassing sunscreen altogether, believing it slows down their tanning progress.
Aesthetic vs. Awareness
It’s not that Gen Z doesn’t care about health — they’re often the first to speak up about mental wellness, gut health and clean skincare. But when it comes to sun safety, aesthetics are winning. A tan still symbolizes health, beauty and social currency on social media, and the pursuit of that look has become something of a side hustle.
Some dermatologists worry that the normalization of this behavior online makes it harder to shift the culture. “For teenagers especially, fitting in is important, so sometimes I will speak to them about spray on tans if the look is important to them, and if they are very focused on image and appearance I will talk to them about the aging effect of UV on skin,” said Dr. Smith. “Their goal should be to have healthy and youthful-looking skin on into their 20s, 30s and beyond, and UV exposure is detrimental to those goals.”
Sun-Savvy, Not Sun-Scorched
Skin cancer remains the most common cancer in the U.S., and melanoma — the deadliest form — is on the rise among young people. But the solution doesn’t have to mean hiding indoors all summer.
Experts recommend seeking shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and wearing protective clothing — even stylish sun shirts and tinted zinc can get a Gen Z-approved glow-up.
When it comes to the UV index, Dr. Smith recommends you check your priorities — and your SPF.
