There are plenty of tanning myths that most of us are wishy-washy on. We see others do it, and we assume that it’s okay (why would so many people put themselves at risk?), or perhaps we simply don’t take the extra time actually to research what’s good or bad for our skin. If la comadre does it, it’s okay if I do too. ¿Qué no?

However, there are many tanning myths that we should watch out for. Here are three we should consider, especially during your next sun-filled outing. 

Take care of your skin, y’all!

Sunscreen Isn’t Good For You

Umm… what?! Believe it or not, this is one of the most common concerns when we’re in the sun. 

According to this source: “Sunscreen does contain a number of chemicals,” but over the several decades these ingredients have been in use, little evidence has been found that they’re toxic. 

Oxybenzone, the UV-absorbing chemical found in most sunscreens, may “have some effect on hormones, but the research remains inconclusive. Individuals who wish to avoid this chemical can apply sunscreens that contain metals instead and that aren’t absorbed by the skin but rather rest on top of it. In any event, no, sunscreen is not bad for your health — on the contrary, wearing a quality, 30+ SPF sunscreen is a key component of skin cancer prevention when spending time out in the sun.”

Tanning Beds Are Safer For You

One of the biggest tanning myths has to do with the popularization of tanning beds.

These devices allow us to show off tanned legs even before we hit the beach, but at what cost? In fact, the ultraviolet radiation emitted by tanning beds, both UVA and UVB, has been declared a carcinogen by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. 

Research has shown that the risk of melanoma, the most deadly type of skin cancer, increases dramatically, by 75 percent, after even one exposure before age 35.

There’s No Need For Sunscreen If You Have Darker Skin

This is probably one of the most tone-deaf myths out there. According to the Dermatology & Mohs Surgery Institute: “No matter which color your skin is, you’re not immune to skin damage.”

The institute explains that even the slightest tan is considered skin damage. SPF should always be worn — even when it’s a cloudy day, and even when you have darker skin, you still need to protect your skin from the harmful UV rays.