Young people are putting themselves at risk of developing skin cancer if they believe some of the more "dangerous" myths about sun protection, new research has found.
One in three adults (32 per cent) have agreed that a tan makes a person look healthier which experts have said can lead to "risky" behaviour when it comes to exposure to the sun.
The research also found that almost a quarter of adults (23 per cent) think that drinking water and keeping themselves hydrated can prevent sunburn. Researchers also said that one in seven adults under the age of 35 (14 per cent) actually believe that putting sun cream on daily is more harmful than exposing yourself directly to the sun.
This survey of more than 1,000 American adults was conducted by the Orlando Health Cancer Institute.
Dr Rajesh Nair, an oncology surgeon at the Orlando Health Cancer Institute, said: "There is no such thing as a healthy tan, as it’s really just a visual manifestation of damage to the skin.
"But we’re fighting against a perceived positive image and health benefits of something that actually has a totally opposite reality, which is that suntanned skin represents an increased risk of a deadly disease."
He continued: "There is no scientific data suggesting that drinking water provides any protection from the sun.
"As for sunscreens, the protective benefits far outweigh any known risks, but if you’re concerned about chemicals or ingredients in a sunscreen, mineral sunscreens like zinc oxide that offer a physical barrier to the sun are proven to be safe, as well as clothing with SPF protection."
The expert said that with so many sources of correct and incorrect information online means it is difficult to decipher which is true and which is false.
He added: "We have really hectic and busy lives, and we're trying to find information to guide us on healthy choices and decision-making to the best of our ability.
"But the overwhelming number of people and organisations claiming to have the right answers makes it really hard to know what to believe. Our fear is that people buy into a lot of really dangerous ideas that put them at added risk."
Brianna Starr, 29, said that skin cancer was not something that was on her mind as a teenager and early 20s as she was more concerned with getting a tan. However, when her sister was diagnosed with melanoma at the age of 19, she got serious about protecting herself.
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Brianna said: "I think a lot of people get their information from TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, that might not be actually legit. And you're very influenced by your friends and peers, so you see a video or hear something from your friend, you're like, ‘Oh, yes. I need to try that,’ and you believe it."
She added: "There is a history of melanoma in my family, and so I started seeing a dermatologist every six months and actually flagged two separate moles, one on my neck and one on my shoulder, that were dysplastic and could have developed into melanoma."
The 29-year-old says she is now diligent when it comes to applying and reapplying sun cream when out and about.
Experts have recommended using sun creams with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or higher and reapplying it every two hours - especially if you are taking a dip in the pool or are sweating.
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They also said that regular screenings for skin cancer are also "critical" to catching anything that is developing early on.
Dr Nair said: "Unfortunately we're seeing skin cancer more and more in patients of a young age. And because it’s something that’s often not on their radar, it tends to be diagnosed in more advanced stages."
He added: "We don’t want to discourage people from being outside and being active because there are so many health benefits to that, but it’s also important to know that sun protection can be lifesaving, and the only effective way of protecting yourself is limiting the effects of UV radiation on the skin."
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