What parents need to know about tanmaxxing

One week it's looksmaxxing or auromaxxing, and the next it's tanmaxxing.

If you're a parent of a tween or teenager, you've probably noticed that social media is full of trends promising the "ideal" appearance. Some focus on skincare, others on fitness or facial features. Now, a growing number of videos are encouraging young people to chase the perfect summer glow.

Health experts warn that many of the practices promoted for tanmaxxing encourage unsafe sun exposure and spread misinformation about skin health. Even more worrying, the trend highlights how easily social media can convince young people that risky habits are normal or healthy.

Key takeaways

• Tanmaxxing is a viral social media trend that encourages people to achieve a darker tan, often through excessive UV exposure.
• Some "tanfluencers" promote risky activities such as tanning during peak UV hours, skipping sunscreen, or using tanning beds.
• According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 64% of Gen Z have encountered sunscreen misinformation online, while 36% say influencers are their primary source of skincare advice.
• Dermatologists say there is no such thing as a healthy tan because tanning is a sign that the skin has already been damaged by UV rays.
• Parents can use this trend as an opportunity to talk about body image, online misinformation, and why some popular trends on social media are unsafe.

What is tanmaxxing?

Tanmaxxing is part of a growing family of online trends under the umbrella term known as “"maxxing" that encourage people to optimize some aspect of their appearance.

If looksmaxxing is about improving facial features, tanmaxxing is about becoming as tanned as possible.

Videos often show dramatic transformations from fair skin to deep bronze tans, along with advice on how to get there faster. Some creators recommend spending long hours in direct sunlight, using tanning oils, planning outdoor activities around the highest UV levels of the day, or even using tanning beds.

Others encourage followers to skip sunscreen altogether. Not every creator promotes dangerous advice, but health experts are increasingly concerned that unsafe recommendations are spreading much faster than accurate information.

Meet the ‘tanfluencers’

Like many viral trends, tanmaxxing has its own online community of creators. These “tanfluencers” share their daily tanning routine online alongside vacation photos and before-and-after transformation updates.

Many of these videos get hundreds of comments and questions about how to tan faster, with young users among those seeking tanning advice. Unfortunately, social media algorithms don't distinguish between good advice and bad advice.

Once someone watches a few tanning videos, they're likely to be shown dozens more, making the trend feel much more common than it really is.

Why are teens suddenly talking about the UV Index?

One part of the trend that surprises many parents is the growing obsession with the UV Index.

In fact, I was chatting with a friend a couple of weeks ago, a mom of a tween and a teenager, and the very first thing she told me was that her daughter wanted to spend the weekend at the beach "to get a tan." As the conversation continued, she mentioned something that surprised me even more: many of her daughter's classmates were checking the UV Index every day and making plans to meet when it reached its highest point.

If you're wondering why teenagers suddenly seem interested in weather-related information, you're not alone.

Normally, the UV Index is included in weather forecasts to help people understand when the sun's ultraviolet rays are strongest so they can take extra precautions and protect their skin.

Some tanfluencers have turned that advice upside down, and instead of avoiding the strongest sunlight, they encourage followers to tan when the UV Index is highest, believing they'll get darker, faster.

It's a powerful example of how information designed to keep people safe can be repurposed on social media in ways that do the exact opposite.

Tanmaxxing isn't the first social media trend to raise concerns among parents, and it certainly won't be the last. At Bitdefender, we've explored everything from looksmaxxing and auramaxxing to viral skincare routines, Gen Z slang and body shaming, and the broader challenges of keeping teens safe online. While trends change, the underlying message remains the same: helping children build critical thinking skills is one of the best ways to prepare them for a constantly evolving digital world.

Why dermatologists are worried

Medical experts say tanmaxxing ignores decades of research on the effects of ultraviolet radiation. According to the American Academy of Dermatology's 2026 Practice Safe Sun Survey, nearly 64% of Gen Z reported seeing misinformation about sunscreen online. More than one in three (36%) said social media influencers are their primary source of skincare advice.

Dr. Mary Wu Chang, a dermatologist at UConn Health, says the biggest myth behind tanmaxxing is the idea that there's such a thing as a "healthy tan."

"There is no such thing as a healthy tan." When skin becomes darker after sun exposure, it's actually responding to damage caused by ultraviolet radiation, she explains. And that damage doesn’t disappear overnight. It builds up over time, increasing the risk of premature aging and skin cancer later in life.

And it’s not just about extreme tanning or high UV exposure. The messages behind these viral online trends are impacting the confidence and identity of tweens and teenagers all over the world. When every swipe shows another creator claiming the perfectly tanned skin makes someone more attractive, healthier, or more confident, it's easy to believe that's the standard everyone should aim for.

This can be a good opportunity to talk with your teen about body image, filters, editing apps, and the unrealistic beauty standards that often dominate social media.

How parents can respond

If your child brings up tanmaxxing or should I say any other type of ‘maxxing’, stay calm and don’t immediately begin criticizing. You can begin your conversation by asking some helpful questions including:

• Where did you first hear about it?
• Why do you think so many people are posting about it?
• Who is giving this advice?
• Is this person a dermatologist or simply an influencer?
• What do trusted health organizations say?

These conversations help children build critical thinking skills they'll use far beyond this trend.

Helping kids build healthier digital habits

The reality is that tanmaxxing won't be the last appearance-related trend your child encounters online. Tomorrow it could be another challenge promising clearer skin, the perfect body, or a new beauty "hack."

Instead of trying to keep up with every viral trend, focus on helping your child develop healthy digital habits.

Encourage them to:

• Check whether health advice comes from trusted medical organizations or qualified professionals
• Question dramatic claims that promise quick results
• Remember that popularity doesn't equal credibility
• Talk openly about trends they see online instead of trying them in secret

These habits don't just help protect children from misinformation. They also make them more resilient against online manipulation in general.

How Bitdefender helps families stay safer online

Not every online threat comes in the form of a scam, phishing message or malicious link.

Sometimes the risks stem from viral online trends and social challenges that encourage users to make unhealthy or risky decisions. While open and frequent conversations remain an effective way to help children navigate the digital world, parents can also benefit from tools that encourage healthier digital habits and keep kids of all ages safe.

For younger children and tweens, social media trends can spread incredibly fast. Whether it's tanmaxxing, viral skincare routines, or the latest challenge making the rounds online, children may want to join in simply because their friends are talking about it. At this age, Bitdefender Parental Control can help parents encourage healthy digital habits by managing screen time, understanding which apps children use, and creating opportunities to talk about the content they're consuming before online trends turn into real-world behaviors.

As children grow into teenagers, the conversation naturally shifts.

Most teens are well past the stage of strict parental controls, but that doesn't mean they're past online risks. That's why Bitdefender Family Plans include customizable roles for every family member, including teens. Rather than making them feel watched or micromanaged, teens receive strong protection against scams, phishing links, malicious websites, and unsafe downloads while maintaining their independence. Parents, meanwhile, gain visibility into potential threats and online safety insights, allowing them to step in when it matters most.

Check out Bitdefender Family Plans, which provide protection for kids, teens, parents, and even grandparents, all under one subscription.

FAQs

What is tanmaxxing?

Tanmaxxing is a social media trend that encourages users to achieve a darker tan through prolonged sun exposure or tanning beds. Dermatologists warn that excessive UV exposure damages the skin and increases the risk of skin cancer.

Can a 12-year-old use a sunbed?

No. Dermatologists strongly advise against children and teenagers using tanning beds. Indoor tanning exposes the skin to concentrated ultraviolet (UV) radiation, increasing the risk of skin damage and melanoma. Many countries also have laws restricting minors from using commercial tanning beds.

Can my 12-year-old tan?

A child may naturally develop a tan after spending time outdoors, but dermatologists stress that a tan is a sign of UV damage and not healthy skin. Encourage outdoor play while protecting their skin with sunscreen, hats, protective clothing, and shade during peak sun hours.

Why are teens obsessed with the UV Index?

Some tanmaxxing videos encourage teens to monitor the UV Index so they can tan when ultraviolet radiation is strongest. In reality, the UV Index was created to help people know when to take extra precautions to protect their skin and avoid increasing their sun