A 54-year-old mother who has battled skin cancer three times is urging young people to think twice before following the viral "tanmaxxing" trend on TikTok, which encourages users to maximize sun exposure to get a darker tan. Liz Benditt, a skin cancer survivor, has spoken publicly about the lasting physical and emotional toll of her diagnoses, warning that the cosmetic appeal of tanning is not worth the lifelong health risks gained from exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Her message comes as dermatologists and public health experts raise concerns over the growing popularity of tanmaxxing on social media. Many videos promote prolonged sun exposure as a way to achieve an ideal appearance, while experts caution that there is no such thing as a "safe tan" from UV radiation. Every tan represents skin damage, and repeated exposure can significantly increase the risk of developing skin cancer later in life.
A Survivor's Warning After Three Battles With Skin Cancer
According to reports, Benditt was first diagnosed with skin cancer in her 30s after years of frequent sun exposure without consistently using sunscreen. Since then, she has undergone treatment for skin cancer on three separate occasions, experiences she says permanently changed her outlook on tanning.
Speaking about the recent popularity of tanmaxxing, Benditt warned that many young people underestimate the long-term dangers of ultraviolet radiation because the consequences often do not appear until years later. "The tan is not worth it," she said, urging people to protect their skin rather than intentionally exposing themselves to harmful UV rays.
Her story has resonated as dermatologists continue to criticize tanmaxxing, explaining that deliberately seeking prolonged sun exposure increases cumulative UV damage. Medical experts emphasize that the skin remembers years of ultraviolet exposure, even if visible problems do not develop until decades later.
Cybersecurity experts have also noted that social media trends such as tanmaxxing can spread rapidly through recommendation algorithms, making it easier for potentially harmful health advice to reach younger audiences before medical professionals have an opportunity to respond.
Saving Your Skin From Skin Cancer
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Skin Cancer Foundation, skin cancer develops when abnormal skin cells begin growing uncontrollably, most commonly after years of damage from ultraviolet radiation produced by sunlight or indoor tanning beds.
The Main Types of Skin Cancer
The three most common forms include:
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC): The most common type of skin cancer. It usually grows slowly and rarely spreads to other parts of the body but can damage nearby tissue if left untreated.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC): Often develops on areas frequently exposed to the sun, including the face, ears, scalp, neck and hands. It has a greater chance of spreading than basal cell carcinoma if not treated promptly.
Melanoma: The least common but most dangerous form of skin cancer. Melanoma is more likely to spread to other organs and can become life-threatening without early diagnosis and treatment.
Common Symptoms
Early warning signs may include:
- A new mole or skin growth
- Changes in the size, color or shape of an existing mole
- A sore that does not heal
- A shiny or pearly bump
- A scaly, rough or crusted patch
- Bleeding or itching skin lesions
- Dark streaks beneath fingernails or toenails in some melanomas
Risk Factors
Several factors increase the risk of skin cancer, including:
- Frequent ultraviolet (UV) exposure from sunlight
- Indoor tanning bed use
- Fair skin, light-colored eyes, or blond or red hair
- A history of severe sunburns
- Family or personal history of skin cancer
- A weakened immune system
- Older age, although melanoma increasingly affects younger adults
Diagnosis and Treatment
Doctors typically diagnose skin cancer through a skin examination followed by a biopsy, during which a small sample of tissue is removed and examined under a microscope.
Treatment depends on the type, size, and stage of the cancer but may include:
- Surgical removal
- Mohs micrographic surgery
- Cryotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Targeted therapy
- Chemotherapy in selected advanced cases
Regular skin examinations performed by healthcare providers, along with monthly self-examinations, can help detect suspicious changes before the disease becomes more advanced.
Prevention Remains the Best Protection
Health experts emphasize that preventing UV damage is far easier than treating skin cancer. Recommended preventive measures include:
- Wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher
- Seeking shade during peak sunlight hours
- Wearing protective clothing, sunglasses, and wide-brimmed hats
- Avoiding indoor tanning beds
- Checking the skin regularly for new or changing moles
A Potential Hazard and Problem For Everyone Under the Sun
The battles that Liz Benditt had with skin cancer show why viral beauty trends should be critically viewed when they encourage behaviors that conflict with established medical advice. Tanmaxxing may promise a temporary cosmetic result, but the ultraviolet exposure it promotes can cause permanent skin damage that may not become apparent until years or even decades later.
Her warning is especially relevant to teenagers and young adults, who often accumulate significant sun exposure during the years when long-term skin damage begins. Many people who develop skin cancer later in life describe spending years tanning without realizing the cumulative effects of UV radiation.
Benditt's story also reinforces an important public health message: skin cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer. Using sunscreen, limiting unnecessary UV exposure, avoiding tanning beds, and paying attention to changes in the skin can substantially reduce risk. As tanmaxxing continues circulating online, her experience serves as a reminder that healthy skin is worth protecting far more than any temporary tan.
