Just when I thought the days of SPF 2 tanning oils and proudly scorched skin were behind us, TikTok and other social media platforms are fuelling a bizarre comeback of tan lines. The trend involves users actively seeking out tan lines by exposing their skin to harmful levels of UV, often burning themselves in the pursuit.
The trend is being fuelled by hashtags and the use of tanning apps like SunKiss AI, which describes itself as a "personal tanning coach" that provides users with "the perfect tanning routine based on your skin type and goals", using the device's location to estimate the UV index. Alarmingly, the app promises their users that if they follow the app's advice, they will be able to achieve a "gorgeous glow, while staying safe".
