For many Gen Xers, unprotected kiddie pool days are now showing up as sunspots, wrinkles, and for some of us, skin cancer. Gen Zers face the same UV risks, but that doesn’t mean they’ll always listen. Community sun-safe habits that balance fun in the sun with future risk can make it easier for all of us to protect our skin for a lifetime.
For many Gen Xers, childhood summer days sans sunscreen are catching up. Years of unprotected sun exposure can leave visible signs of sun damage, including discolored skin spots and wrinkles, and in some cases, skin cancer. Mine appeared at 47.
Gen Zers face the exact same UV risks today. But knowing that doesn’t mean they’ll always listen to warnings. As a teenager, the bold warning on a pack of Marlboro Lights didn’t scare me away. Banning indoor smoking was a far more effective nudge. So was living with my now husband who didn’t smoke and has asthma. Had my social circles been different, I could’ve easily continued on smoking for decades as many friends and family did.
Building community sun-safe habits that balance outdoor fun with future risk from sun damage can make it easier for all of us to enjoy the sun while protecting our skin that needs to last a lifetime. Bringing extra sunscreen to share, creating playground shade, offering free sunscreen for kids, and adding sunhats to school supply lists may seem small, but together can add up and change norms.
Community health workers can also help people understand how to protect their skin and why sun protection matters. And in neighborhoods with more concrete than tree cover, creating shade from trees or built structures is a critical investment to help lower exposure to both UV sunlight and extreme heat.
Nachos and Single-Digit SPFs
Four years ago, a skin-colored bump just a few millimeters wide on my nose (removed during a routine screening appointment) turned out to be basal cell skin cancer.
At 47, I was stunned. I had been pretty sun-safe as an adult, but as a kid or teen in the 1980s? No. No one was.
I’m pretty sure that spot traced back to endless summer pool days. My mom would rush home during her lunch break to drop us off at the pool as soon as the gates opened and then pick us up after five. We’d maybe bring a towel or a dollar or two for cheesy nachos or ice cream, and that was it. No water bottles or flip flops or coverups. Back then, sun protection just wasn’t a thing.
At the start of summer, my young skin would burn, peel, and then gradually deepen into a golden tan. I thought it was healthy — grownups said so (even my pediatrician!). Tanning oils were more popular than sunscreens, and the sunscreens that were around often had SPFs in the single digits. Today, the FDA would require low‑SPF products like those to be labeled as unable to prevent skin cancer or early skin aging.
The Gen Z sun-safety gap
Today, sun safety messages are getting through, but tanning myths persist, especially in Gen Z. Scroll through some influencer feeds, and you’ll see the disconnect. Some openly acknowledge the risk of skin cancer and the protective benefits of sunscreen. But the logic seems to be: You’re gonna get old and wrinkly anyway, and everyone dies of something, so why not look good now?
Seeing young people around my own kids’ ages, I’m reminded of how it felt at that time in life. I have even more empathy for Gen Z with the level of uncertainty they’re coming of age into. It makes me feel protective and more interested in finding supportive, rather than shaming, ways to reach them.
We have better sun-protection options and more awareness than ever. But we still have a long way to go before sun safety becomes an everyday habit. Survey data tell a similar story.
A 2026 survey of 1,132 U.S. adults found more than half of respondents were rated as having “good” or “great” knowledge and awareness about sun protection and skin cancer. While that’s encouraging, the same survey also found a stark generational gap:
➡️ One-third of Gen Z respondents received a failing grade (”D” or “F”) regarding basic sun-safety knowledge.
➡️ 54% of Gen Zers were unaware that one or more sunburns can raise the risk of skin cancer.
➡️ The “healthy base tan” myth is still alive. Many young adults still falsely believe that a tan protects the skin.
While a tan is less harmful than a burn, it’s a visible sign of DNA damage in skin cellsfrom genetic mutations. That damage can accumulate over time, increasing the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma, especially when it occurs early in life.
What is Mohs Surgery?
Thankfully, the skin cancer I had was a basal cell carcinoma, the most common and least risky type. It’s almost always curable. I had mine removed by Mohs, a surgical procedure that removes skin tissue, layer by layer, examining each layer under a microscope, until the cancer is fully removed. This minimizes, but doesn’t eliminate, scarring.
I’ve recently heard people downplay non-melanoma skin cancer: Don’t worry about the sun. Worst case, you get a basal cell, and they just remove it during an outpatient visit.
Of course, the people saying that usually aren’t the ones who’ve gone through it.
Complications are also possible, including infection. I had an allergic reaction to the tape. Then, I had to have another biopsy because they couldn’t tell if it was from leftover cancer or inflammation.
I know this is minor compared with so many other health challenges, but skin cancer treatment can still be disruptive and even disfiguring. Some growths can require multiple rounds during Mohs, removing layer after layer, until all the cancer is gone. If you have Mohs, you’ll likely be warned in advance that there’s no way of knowing how large the scar might be. Skin cancers are often compared to the tip of an iceberg — the visible tumor may be small in comparison to what’s hidden below the skin.
I was lucky with mine and got clear margins the first round (meaning the tumor was fully removed, reaching healthy tissue). But maybe I won’t be the next time. If you’ve had one skin cancer, you’ll probably be warned that more may be in your future. This also includes a higher risk of squamous cell and melanoma skin cancers, which are more serious because they are more likely to spread locally and metastasize, spreading to other sites in the body. Catching these cancers early is especially important.
The reality of the dermatology shortage
Skin cancers can be a challenge to diagnose and treat, both for people and the healthcare system as a whole. Here in Wisconsin where I live, wait times for dermatology appointments are many months out, a common situation throughout the U.S., even within our VA healthcare system.
The ongoing dermatologist shortage is worsened as more practices focus on cosmetic procedures. Finding a clinician with training and expertise in skin of color is even harder.
Why delays matter: Longer wait times can mean missed or late diagnoses. And even if everything turns out okay and that spot that looked suspicious is thankfully benign (non-cancerous), there’s an added stress of waiting and worrying that comes when essential care is delayed.
⚖️Health Equity Alert: Research finds that people with darker skin tones are less likely to develop melanoma than non-Hispanic white people, but when they do, it’s more often diagnosed late leading to worse outcomes. Barriers to timely dermatology care and gaps in clinician training to recognize skin cancer across skin tones are part of the problem. So are persistent myths that more melanated people don’t need sunscreen — a belief held by nearly one-third of Black Americans in the survey noted above.
But sun protection is important for everyone. To learn more, check out this TNG post: What are the 3 most important sun-safe habits your skin will thank you for?
Rather than wait three months for Mohs near me, I went back to the dermatology practice in the Chicago area where I used to go. With my current insurer, I wouldn’t be able to do that today, but I know how lucky I am. Many people don’t have insurance, can’t afford out-of-pocket costs, or live in “dermatology deserts” with no nearby clinicians trained in skin care.
Over the next 25 years, the number of people living with a history of skin cancer is expected to surge globally. Experts say it’s urgent we address disparities in dermatology care, especially in countries with fewer resources. That means:
➡️ Expanding public education about sun safety and skin checks
➡️ Making screening more accessible to catch skin cancer early
➡️ Broadening inclusive medical research and training across all skin tones and types
Why doing what’s “safest” isn’t so simple.
Catching skin cancer early is crucial. Prevention is even better.
But do I regret my long pool days at the local pool with a Dare Devil waterslide and diving boards?
No, not at all. I savor those memories. I wouldn’t trade them for even more memories of sitting crisscross in front of our family’s floor TV with a cereal bowl in my lap. Going to the pool made me feel more alive. For my brother Teddy with spina bifida, it meant being able to move around freely in the water, swimming and playing with us and whatever other kids were there that day. We bonded over games of truth and dare, marco polo hunts, and pool tag. We got many good things at the pool, minus the sun damage.
But even if someone warned me then “You’re gonna get skin cancer in your forties with all that sun,” I’m pretty sure I’d roll my eyes and be like “yeah right, whatever.”
Warnings alone rarely drive behavior. I knew smoking was harmful when I started at age 14. I even had a grandpa who died from lung cancer. But because people around me smoked, I did too. Far-off hypothetical risks seem easier to ignore than social pressures. And the fact that it was risky was even a draw. Part of me was rebelling; part of me was just trying to fit in.
If I were a teenager today, I can’t honestly say I’d ignore my social circle to follow boring medical advice. Social influence is nothing new. The “tanfluencer” trends on TikTok, where young people tout tan lines or show themselves lounging in tanning beds, are just modern versions of what Gen X did on a smaller scale in real life or a larger one on MTV. And their claims that sunscreen is harmful remind me of the myths I heard growing up about seat belts. I didn’t wear seat belts growing up either.
As a mom to four, I’ve learned that lecturing rarely works. Blaming, scolding, or talking down makes people defensive. It does for me too, though I’m learning to keep it in check.
We also need to avoid binary “good vs. bad” framing. That might make sense for something like smoking (all bad), but not at all for sun exposure.
Consider the benefits: Sunlight helps our bodies make Vitamin D, regulates sleep-wake cycles, and boosts our mood. Some observational studies also suggest specific health benefits, such as lower blood pressure and a reduced risk of chronic diseases. Spending time outdoors in green spaces with sunlight and fresh air helps us feel and sleep better and we tend to move more when outside.
It’s just as important to consider the risk. Each single sunburn can contribute to skin cancer risk. Preventing sunburns, especially early in life, is crucially important. My kids don’t listen to everything I tell them, so I focus my message first on lowering their chances of burning, and I try to model the rest as a norm, like wearing sunglasses and sun hats.
When my kids were little, I liked keeping a sun umbrella on hand for pop-up shade. Sun hats rarely stayed on, but over time, wearing them became a habit. And eventually, a fun fashion statement! Just to be clear: this is one win I’ve had. My kids definitely don’t follow every piece of advice I give!
Parenting has given me so much more grace for myself and other parents. Kids are humbling, especially teens. It’s hard to know what’s best, and even when you do, so much is beyond your control. That’s why I’m so grateful when safety and healthy-ish options are built into community norms.
🤔 Sun protection is for everyone, but some people need to be extra careful.
All skin types and tones are vulnerable to sun-related damage, and UV rays are harmful to everyone’s eyes. Understanding your own risks helps you know if you need to be extra careful about sun exposure.
Some reasons to be extra sun-safe include:
✅ Personal or family history of skin cancer
✅ Lighter skin, blue or green eyes, or having blonde or red hair
✅ Skin that reddens or burns easily after sun exposure
✅ Sun-sensitive conditions, like lupus
✅ Use of photosensitizing medications, like certain acne treatments, antibiotics, or NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
✅ Having many moles, or certain mole types that are more likely to become cancer
🌟 People with melanin-rich skin have more natural UV protection, the pigment that gives skin color, but not enough to prevent sun damage or sunburns. Sun protection is important for everyone, and skin cancer prevention is only one of the reasons. UV damage also causes photoaging and hyperpigmentation, which are not only cosmetic but can also cause uncomfortable skin issues like itching and other sensory issues.
Sharing the sun, not the damage
We have more sunscreen products and sun safety awareness today, yet the survey noted above showed that sun protection is still widely underused (about a third of Americans still get sunburned every year). At the same time, many of us, kids and adults alike, often struggle to get enough outdoor time due to being stuck on screens, a lack of safe, easy-to-access outdoor spaces, or mobility issues.
That little bump on my nose was a wake‑up call, but I don’t want the takeaway to be spreading fear of the sun. It’s all about striking a healthy balance between enjoying the outdoors and protecting our skin. And it’s about finding ways to build sun safety into our communities so we all get to share the sun as well as the protection from its harmful effects.
Yes, sun protection earlier in life would have been better, but it’s never too late to make sun safety a habit. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about relying on a combination of sun protection (sunscreen, hats, coverups, sunglasses, and shade) and using it regularly as best you can over time.
🔍 What to Look For: Checking Your Skin
Anyone can get skin cancer, even in places that aren’t sun-exposed, such as between the toes or the bottoms of your feet. Your clinician may recommend regular skin checks by a dermatology clinician if you have a higher risk. It’s important for everyone though to stay familiar with their skin.
Examples of changes you should have a clinician look at include:
✅ New or morphing Moles: any new growth or spot that changes in size, shape, color, elevation, or general appearance.
✅ New Bumps: new skin-colored bump or growth that stays for more than a few weeks.
✅ Non-Healing Sores: any sore that doesn’t heal as usual and get better.
The American Academy of Dermatology Association’s website has information about how to spot skin cancer, including what to look for if you have a darker skin tone.
🫶Whether it’s tanning or smoking, changing habits that affect health can be a process. Just as it’s never too late to start protecting your skin from UV exposure, it’s never too late to benefit from quitting smoking.
➡️ If you smoke: Ask your clinician, local public health office, or pharmacist about smoking cessation options. We really do love having these conversations and know that quitting can be really hard. It’s also important to share your smoking history with your clinician so they can discuss any additional cancer screenings that may be recommended based on your individual risk.
Anyone can get cancer, and not all cancers are preventable. Even when there are steps we can take to lower risk, no one should ever be blamed for getting cancer—ever. We all deserve support to make healthier choices easier.
