OK, But Is Sunbathing Really THAT Bad? Here's The Realistic Answer

Many people incorrectly believe that tanning is safe as long as you don’t burn. Here's what you need to know.

Lying on the beach or poolside striving to get a golden tan may be one of your favorite summer activities — even though you probably know getting too much sun is risky, especially if you don’t take the right precautions.

While dermatologists urge caution about spending time in the sun, they recognize that people are still likely going to sunbathe. About two-thirds of Americans said they got a tan last year, and many incorrectly believe a base tan will prevent sunburns and that tanning is safe as long as you don’t burn, according to a new American Academy of Dermatology survey.

“Regardless of past sunburns, the fact that ultraviolet light causes skin cancer, including melanoma, people are still going to sunbathe this summer,” said Dr. Hope Mitchell, an Ohio-based board-certified dermatologist. “It’s crucial to recognize these risks and others that are related to sunbathing.”

Even short periods of sun exposure and minor sunburns can add up over time and damage your skin, she said.

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the U.S., dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Hale, senior vice president of the Skin Cancer Foundation, told HuffPost. It can affect anyone of any skin tone, and it’s often diagnosed in later stages in people with darker skin, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.