Celebrities over 40 who regret their younger tanning days

For decades, the pursuit of the sun’s glow has led people to overlook the reality of it Getting a summer tan can be risky to your health. like skin cancer.org Note that what is often perceived as a gorgeous glow from a tan is actually a sign of DNA damage. Dispel the idea of ​​that Indoor tanning beds are safer for the skin than the sun. The organization stressed that exposure to ultraviolet rays of any kind can cause genetic damage to the upper layer of the skin.

Contrary to popular belief, genetic damage can begin after just one tanning incident, and subsequent tanning only increases genetic mutations and brings greater health risks. According to food and Drug Administration, Tanning can significantly increase the risk of skin cancers, cause photokeratitis (vision damage caused by sunburn of the cornea), and lead to premature aging, among many other problems. There is no doubt about that Getting a tan affects your skin a lot. And most of it is not good.

but, Protect yourself properly from the sun It can go a long way in preventing these risks. Although we all know that wearing good sunscreen is one of the best ways to practice sun protection, some people still choose to forego it. A Study 2020 In the Journal of Cancer Education I found that the main reasons people choose not to wear sunscreen regularly are “inconvenience, perceived lack of need, and perceived lack of necessity.” Over the years, many celebrities have admitted that they chose not to use sunscreen because they wanted to get a tan. However, they are not too proud to admit that they had to learn from their past mistakes the hard way.

In 2023, Harper’s Bazaar I asked Courteney Cox about a skincare product she wished she had included in her routine in her 20s. The “Friends” alum didn’t hesitate to admit that she wished her skin had better protection from the sun in her younger years. To help her daughter, Coco Arquette, understand the ill effects of not covering her body effectively with sunscreen, Cox showed her her chest.

Even though her daughter refused to believe her skin would ever look like hers, Cox still passed on a pearl of wisdom: “Wear sunscreen and take care of your body. Really use the right products because it’s catching up.”

talking to Now for love In 2017, Jennifer Aniston revealed that she has been spending time in the sun since she was a child. However, she deeply regretted her decision she made when she was younger to sunbathe while wearing baby oil instead of sunscreen.

In 2015 the people In the interview, the Emmy winner shared how she tried to learn from her past mistakes, saying, “I gave myself a massage a few years ago, where I was basically saying, ‘Let’s quit while we’re ahead.'” Following her simple intervention, Aniston also incorporated moisturizing sunscreen into her daily skincare routine.

In 2016 attractiveness In the interview, Jessica Alba recalled how she experimented with tanning beds several times in her younger years to stay in line with the beauty trends of the time. However, the ‘Honey’ actress was not interested in returning to her old ways, as she explained: “I would never use a tanning bed (now).”

Alba seems to be well aware of this The real risks people take when they use a tanning bed. According to American Academy of Dermatology Association, Using a tanning bed can increase the risk of squamous cell carcinoma by 58% and basal cell carcinoma by 24%.

During the 2025 appearance on “The Howard Stern Show” Hugh Jackman shared that the most common type of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma, has been removed six times. The Australian actor also admitted that he couldn’t believe he kept going out and tanning even after his first skin cancer diagnosis in order to stay in line with Australian culture.

In addition, in 2023 Instagram In the video, Jackman shared a clear message with his followers: “Please wear sunscreen. It’s not worth it,” Jackman continued. “Whatever you want to nail: Trust me, trust me, trust me.”

talking to deer In 2021, Brooke Shields shared that she didn’t use sunscreen as a teenager because she was desperate to get a glowing tan. In those days, the “The Blue Lagoon” star wasn’t worried about getting skin cancer at all.

As a result, she was shocked when she received a diagnosis of solar keratosis from her doctor in 2021 for spots she had developed about 40 years ago due to tanning. like Mayo Clinic It is noted that solar keratosis is a precancerous condition caused by excessive exposure to sunlight. After the diagnosis, Shields not only started wearing sunscreen herself, but she also tried to convince her children to do the same.

In 2024 Instagram Afterwards, Christie Brinkley revealed that doctors had successfully removed a basal cell carcinoma spot from her face. The model went on to reveal her tanning regret, saying: “I’ve been getting serious a little late, so now for this mermaid/gardener thing, I’ll be using my SPF 30, reapplying as needed, and wearing long sleeves and a wide-brimmed hat.”

In addition, in 2024 Page six In the interview, she said that she developed hyperpigmented and hypopigmented spots on her body because she did not wear sunscreen in her younger years. She even showed the spots to her daughters to encourage them to use sunscreen.

in Instagram In the post shared in 2022, Teddi Mellencamp shared that she had been diagnosed with stage 2 melanoma. The RHOBH alumna admitted she made several mistakes that could have led to her diagnosis, including refusing to wear sunscreen until she was in her 40s and her decision to use baby oil and iodine to tan herself as a teenager.

Notably, Mellencamp also had a tanning bed in her room. In 2023 Instagram Next, she shared that she intentionally showed off her untanned legs and skin cancer scars to discuss the dangers of tanning.

During a 2025 episode of “Today with Jenna and Friends,” Jenna Bush Hager recalled how the skin on her breasts turned green after she suffered a sunburn following a tanning session on a topless beach in Spain in her teenage years. Chat with new york post, Dermatologist Dr. Adarsh ​​Vijay Moudgil said that the damage to the skin barrier that Bush Hager suffered due to the burn had likely given way to a secondary bacterial infection, which showed through the yellowish-green wounds. Years later, she was talking to a dermatologist to find out how to reduce the sun damage her skin had done throughout her younger years.

During a 2014 interview with canadian life, Jennifer Garner recalled how she would often get painful sunburns in her younger years because she believed she needed to be in the sun for hours without using sunscreen to get a great tan.

In a 2021 appearance on “today,” Garner shared another reason she doesn’t care about tanning anymore, saying, “The hard thing about your 20s and 30s is that the sun damage shows up as you get older. It’s like taking care of your future.” To make up for her past mistakes, Garner refused to leave the house without using sunscreen.