Study: Intentional Outdoor Tanning Common Among US Adults, Especially Young Women

Intentional outdoor tanning remains a common behavior among US adults, particularly younger women, according to a large cross-sectional analysis of nationally representative survey data published online in JAMA Dermatology.

Investigators analyzed responses from 31,615 adults who participated in the 2024 National Health Interview Survey to estimate the prevalence of intentional outdoor tanning and identify demographic and behavioral factors associated with the practice. Participants were asked how often they intentionally sought sun exposure to develop a tan and whether they had experienced a sunburn during the previous 12 months.

Overall, 30.2% of US adults reported intentional outdoor tanning. The behavior was more common among women than men (35.6% vs 26.6%), with the highest prevalence observed among women aged 18 to 29 years (48.1%). More than half of women aged 18 to 24 years reported intentionally tanning outdoors (51.7%).

Intentional tanning was most common among non-Hispanic White individuals, those who were not sun-sensitive, those meeting both aerobic and strength-based physical activity guidelines, and those reporting heavy or binge alcohol use (P < 0.001 for all). Similar associations were observed among men, although the highest prevalence occurred among sun-sensitive men, physically active men, and those reporting heavy or binge drinking.

The study also found that adults who intentionally tanned outdoors were substantially more likely to report a sunburn during the previous year than those who did not intentionally tan (49.9% vs 28.3%; P < 0.001).

Study limitations included its cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reported behaviors

"This cross-sectional study found that the highest prevalence of intentional outdoor tanning occurs among US women who are younger, non-Hispanic White, and physically active and report heavy and/or binge drinking," the authors wrote. "Those who engage in intentional outdoor tanning are more likely to experience sunburn, increasing their skin cancer risk. These findings can inform future strategies to address intentional outdoor tanning as part of larger efforts to reduce skin cancer risk."

Source

 Holman D, et al. JAMA Dermatology. Doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2026.2450