Summer often brings long afternoons outdoors, trips to the beach and plenty of opportunities to soak up the sunshine. For some people, those warm weather moments also come with the goal of developing a tan.

But while bronzed skin may be associated with summer, intentionally spending time in the sun to change your skin tone comes with consequences that go beyond a temporary change in appearance.

Ultraviolet, or UV, radiation is one of the major environmental contributors to visible skin aging. Repeated exposure can gradually affect the proteins and structures responsible for keeping skin firm, smooth and resilient.

New research also suggests that intentional outdoor tanning remains widespread, particularly among young women.

Nearly half of young women report intentional tanning

A study published in JAMA Dermatology examined information from 31,615 adults who participated in the 2024 National Health Interview Survey, a nationally representative survey of U.S. adults.

Researchers looked at whether participants deliberately spent time outdoors with the goal of developing a tan. They also examined whether participants had experienced sunburn during the previous year and considered several demographic and lifestyle factors.

Overall, about 30% of U.S. adults surveyed reported intentionally tanning outdoors.

The difference between women and men was notable. About 35.6% of women reported deliberately tanning outdoors, compared with 26.6% of men.

The number was even higher among women ages 18 to 29. Nearly half, or 48.1%, said they intentionally spent time outside to develop a tan.

The findings also revealed another concerning pattern. Among people who intentionally tanned, 49.9% reported experiencing a sunburn during the previous year. That compared with 28.3% among those who did not intentionally tan.

A tan is your skin responding to UV exposure

A tan may look like a sign of a healthy summer glow, but biologically, it represents a response to UV radiation.

When UV rays reach the skin, they can damage cells. The skin responds by increasing melanin production, which causes the darker pigmentation associated with tanning.

That means developing a tan isn’t simply a cosmetic process. It indicates that the skin has been exposed to UV radiation.

Repeated exposure can gradually contribute to photoaging, the term used to describe premature changes in the skin caused by environmental factors, particularly sunlight.

UV exposure can affect collagen and elasticity

Collagen and elastin help provide skin with structure, firmness and flexibility. Over time, repeated UV exposure can damage these important components.

The effects can become visible as wrinkles, uneven pigmentation, changes in texture and reduced firmness.

These changes don’t necessarily appear after one afternoon outside. Instead, they can accumulate over years, making repeated sun exposure an important consideration for anyone focused on maintaining healthy looking as they age.

UV radiation can also contribute to oxidative stress and cellular changes that interfere with normal skin maintenance and repair.

That is one reason protecting your skin is important even if your primary concern isn’t visible aging.

Your summer skin-care routine matters

You don’t need to spend the entire summer indoors to protect your skin.

Instead, dermatologists generally recommend reducing unnecessary UV exposure while continuing to enjoy outdoor activities.

A broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher is an important part of daily skin protection. It should be applied to commonly exposed areas such as the face, neck, chest and hands.

When you’re outside for an extended period, sunscreen should be reapplied according to the product’s directions and after swimming or significant sweating.

Additional protection can come from seeking shade, wearing a wide brimmed hat, using sunglasses and choosing lightweight clothing that covers more skin when practical.

You don’t need a tan for vitamin D

Some people intentionally seek sunlight because they believe tanning is necessary for maintaining vitamin D levels.

However, deliberately exposing your skin to UV radiation isn’t the only way to address vitamin D needs. If you’re concerned about your levels, a health care professional can determine whether testing is appropriate and discuss dietary sources or supplements when necessary.

That approach can help you address vitamin D concerns without making intentional tanning part of your routine.

You can still enjoy summer

The message isn’t that spending time outdoors is inherently harmful. Walking outside, enjoying an outdoor meal or relaxing at the beach can all be part of an active summer.

The distinction is between enjoying the outdoors and deliberately seeking UV exposure to darken the it.

If maintaining healthy looking skin is one of your priorities, minimizing unnecessary UV exposure is one of the simplest habits you can adopt. Sunscreen, protective clothing, shade and sensible outdoor habits can all help.

And if you want the look of a summer tan, a sunless tanning product can provide color without deliberately exposing your skin to UV radiation.

Ultimately, summer doesn’t have to mean choosing between enjoying the outdoors and caring for your skin. With a few consistent habits, you can make room for both.