This Dangerous TikTok Trend Could Lead To Cancer

Chances are this summer you will find yourself out in the sun for an extended period of time. Whether that is at the beach, pool, sporting event, concert, or something else in the sun. You may have seen on TikTok an anti-sunscreen movement. But it's important to know that this is a dangerous TikTok trend, not based on science, and could lead to cancer.

Countless videos like the one below have popped up telling people not to wear sunscreen.

This is just one example, another being Kristin Cavallari of Laguna Beach and The Hills fame. In fact her video of this has been stiched on the social media platform time and time again by dermatologists with a dire warning against this dangerous TikTok trend.

It is being referred to as the anti-sunscreen movement which essentially encourages skipping sunscreen entirely. Which, despite these influencers' claims does in fact increase your risk of sun damage and skin cancer. In fact, it increases it exponentially.

But don't take my word for it, here is a dermatologist's response to Kristin's viral video:

TikTok’s Anti Sunscreen Movement

On TikTok, the hashtag #AntiSunscreen has amassed over 5.3 million views. That is a lot of people who have been exposed to this dangerous misinformation. While most I believe are smart enough to know that this doesn't add up, I do hope that those who have questions seek further clarification.

New data shared with us by our friends at Glam, shows that questions are being asked. Google searches, for "Does sunscreen cause cancer" show an increase of 160% in the past 30 days. People are also looking for "free skin cancer screening near me" and "How do I know if I have skin cancer". With those searches increasing by 400% and 250%, respectively.

The fact of the matter is, that skipping sunscreen increases your risk of skin cancer. Not only that but it accelerates aging. Plain and simple the anti sunscreen movement is a dangerous TikTok trend.

As someone who has had skin cancer, at a fairly young age statistically, I can't emphasize enough that you don't want to go through that. I was lucky that mine was less serious than other types of skin cancer. But even still, it is painful and not fun, can leave a scar, and is not cheap to deal with.

Chances are I will go through this multiple other times in my lifetime thanks to genetics. But I can promise you I do everything I can to decrease that risk.

"Seeking health advice from content creators can be dangerous," Dr. Mariano Busso, a Beverly Hills board-certified cosmetic dermatologist, exclusively told Glam. 

"Using sunscreen has been scientifically proven to protect skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet light, including both UVB and UVA rays. By not using sunscreen, you are greatly increasing your odds of sun cancer," he warned.

But can sunscreen really cause cancer like these influencers claim?

"This contention has been studied and debunked," said Busso. But if you are concerned about chemicals in sunscreen, try using physical sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These are not absorbed by the skin.

So do yourself a favor and don't listen to the dangerous TikTok Trend of the anti sunscreen movement. It's not worth it. I promise.

It's always a good time to go on vacation, but summer, of course, is the official travel season. If you're planning a big trip, you're going to want to make sure to maximize your vacation. After all, traveling is supposed to be fun. That means not stressing out while planning or being on your trip. Let's get into some great tips to maximize your vacation.

Before we get to tips to maximize your vacation, let's look at vacation trends. A new AAA travel survey states that 84% of U.S. residents will travel in 2024. Also, 43% will take more vacations than last year. So traveling is a hot thing in 2024. "The travel season is already off to a hot start in 2024," said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA, The Auto Club Group. "Americans continue to make travel a top priority, and AAA travel agents have been busy planning a wide range of vacations from weekend getaways to world cruises."

If you're planning to take a cruise, note that according to AAA, more travelers are booking cruises farther in advance. Many spring break cruises sold out months before they were to set sail. "Last-minute bookings are possible, but prices may be higher and cabin choices limited," AAA notes.

What's more, a new study from AAA and Bread Financial has discovered that younger generations are into live event travel. Is that really new? I've been traveling for concerts for years, but it's apparently a new trend among Gen Z. They state that "three in five Gen Z (65%) and Millennial (58%) respondents confirmed they have traveled in the past 12 months and/or plan to travel in the next 12 months for in-person events like concerts, sporting events, comedy shows, and book readings that are more than 50 miles from home."

That's much more than with older generations, with is 43% for Gen X and 27% for Baby Boomers. Then again, older generations are more likely to want to be at home, because, well, they're older. They've been there and done that.

That same study found that Gen Z loves traveling for sports and music. They state that more than half (52%) of Gen Z travelers are gearing up to attend a music event in the next 12 months. In fact, one in five Gen Z travelers (20%) have traveled or plan to travel to see Taylor Swift live in concert.

As for sports, 38% of Gen Z travelers have traveled or plan to travel for the 2025 Super Bowl. Also, 32% have traveled or plan to travel to the 2024 NBA finals, and 19% have traveled or plan to travel to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.  Now, let's get into some great tips to maximize your vacation.

One great way to maximize your vacation is simply to save money. You'll feel so much better on vacation knowing that you're saving cash by doing things the right way. One major way to save money is to travel during an off season. Every vacation destination has its own peak time. So, look at the cheapest time to visit your destination, and go then. Find more tips on saving money on vacation, too.

Sure, you want to do some planning so that you don't miss the big tourist stops in your destination. But, don't book every blasted minute. Maximize your vacay by saving some time to be spontaneous. Take a day to just figure out what to do when you're there. Maybe some locals will recommend a secret spot for you to visit during your "day off."

While you don't want to overbook your trip so that you're always running from spot to spot, you do want to plan a bit. It's not a good idea to do zero planning and just feel things out when you get there. Plan some big activities ahead of time so that you aren't scrambling last-minute.

If you only have one big vacation every year, you might feel under a lot of pressure to make it the most amazing experience ever. So, take away that stress. Plan mini-vacations throughout the year, so you aren't under as much pressure to make your big trip the best thing that's ever happened to you and your family. For example, in the fall, if you live in an area with beautiful colors, make an annual fall color tour trip and just drive around the state.

If time and money allows, adding just one day to your vacation can open up a world of possibilities. Many people plan too short a trip, not realizing just how much they'll want to do in their destination. So, add an extra day. You'll be glad you did at the end of your stay.

Sure, you're on vacation. You want to soak up every minute of your trip. But, if you're up late every night partying in the clubs and then up early to enjoy the sunrise, pretty soon, you'll be too tired to enjoy your vacation. So, take time to get some sleep and feel rested.

They say, "Don't sweat the small stuff." That's certainly true on vacation. Nothing is going to go totally as planned. So, expect the unexpected, and roll with it.

When you get back from your vacation, don't plan to start work the very next day. Take an extra day or two off after your vacation to recuperate, so that you hit the ground running when you're back at work. The extra time at home will also give you a chance to savor your vacation.

People often find experiencing more rewarding that physical things. So, make sure to plan an experience with your trip. Maybe there's a huge concert you want to see on vacation. Perhaps it's a sporting event. Whatever it is, plan an awesome experience.

Finally, when you're home from your trip, decompress and look back on your vacation. What went wrong? What went right? Take notes and learn from your vacation, so you'll know what to do better next time.