Sun exposure without sunscreen does not lead to a deeper tan, Danish health expert warns

A deeper tan cannot be achieved by skipping sunscreen, according to a Danish medical expert speaking on public broadcaster DR.

Dr. Villads Rostrup, a physician featured on Danish television, clarified that sunscreen does not prevent tanning but instead allows for safer, longer exposure. “You get just as brown with sunscreen as without—it just takes a little longer,” he said.

The misconception that unprotected sun exposure yields a better tan persists despite evidence that sunscreen reduces the risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage. Rostrup advised gradual sun exposure, even with sunscreen, to build a tan safely.