This past weekend we had our Tanning is Out summer campaign launch at Kits beach in Vancouver! It was a perfect opportunity for me to get a guy’s perspective on tanning from some of our Tanning is Out Ambassadors.

Josh, a secondary school student, is an energetic guy who loves to play beach volleyball during the summer. Josh stepped it up this summer and decided to make a lifestyle change so that he can still play beach volleyball without having to worry about sun damage. Surrounded by many friends who believe that tanning is safe, Josh is comfortable telling them what he really thinks about it and he was happy to share his views with me.

Do you know some people who love to tan?

Yes, definitely. Most of my friends do believe that naturally tanning outdoors is okay and won’t cause cancer. I think that they don’t understand the harmful effects that the sun can have and that sun damage doesn’t go away. Even if people get sunburnt, they don’t take it that seriously. Before, I never knew that my skin was getting damaged even if it wasn’t getting sunburnt. After I learned more about it, I have been telling my friends the truth about tanning and that there is no such thing as a safe tan. Most of them listen, but they have been doing it for so long that they think that they can’t get skin cancer, so it’s hard to convince them.

Do you think guys consciously tan as part of their appearance?

Yes, they do. I think that media and TV shows like Jersey Shore set an example. They show that “gym-tan-laundry” (GTL) is all they do every day. Stars also use tanning beds. The media influences guys to go tanning, so it’s up to campaigns like Tanning is Out, to tell people the truth about it – there’s nothing beautiful about tanning.

Is it common for male students to practice sun safety when playing outdoor sports, either at school or in their own time?

Nope. Maybe the guys think they are too “macho” or something. They think they don’t need sunscreen or anything and that it’s fine to get dark. If the coach said something about it though, they would probably put on sunscreen. What we need is to have the sunscreen there already so it makes it easier to act on it.

Do you think most guys are aware that tanning can increase their risk of skin cancer?

I believe guys know that, but it may not have touched them personally. It’s also about the friends they are around…“All my friends don’t put on sunscreen so I won’t.”

I actually didn’t care about it before – but then I became aware about tanning and the harm it can do to our skin if we don’t protect ourselves. I constantly talk to my friends telling them easy alternatives, like how you can have SPF in your lip balm or getting moisturizer that already has SPF in it. Teens are lazy people and if it’s not easily accessible, they won’t do it. I try to carry sunscreen around in my schoolbag and tell them, “Yo – put some sunscreen on.”

As a Tanning Is Out Ambassador, what is one message you would share about tanning?

Only one?! Uh oh…that’s hard…Being tanned is not the same as being beautiful.

So there you go! There’s no such thing as a safe tan and you don’t have to tan to be beautiful. Well said, Josh! Find us on Facebook by searching “Tanning is Out” to see where Josh and the other Tanning is Out Ambassadors will be this summer to spread the message on how we can all enjoy the sun safely.

~ Lehoa, Tanning is Out Campaign Manager