Tanmaxxing is giving Gen Z skin cancer, and as a dermatologist and Mohs surgeon I'm now treating melanoma, basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma in patients in their 20s almost every day. In this episode of The Skin Real, I sit down with Mohs surgeon Dr. Whitney Hovenic to break down the tanmaxxing trend, the base tan myth, and how to prevent skin cancer without giving up summer.
Is tanning bad for you? We explain why a base tan only gives you about SPF 2 to 4, how one blistering sunburn doubles your melanoma risk, and why tanning beds are carcinogens that are showing up again in gyms and college housing. We also cover how much sunscreen to apply, SPF 30 vs SPF 100, why tinted sunscreen is the best sunscreen for teens and anyone who hates sunscreen, self tanners and spray tans, the string bikini tan line trend, vitamin D and morning sunlight, the UV index, sun exposure at altitude and on snow, and why lasers can't fully reverse sun damage on your chest, neck and legs.
If you're Gen Z, raising a teenager, or want to protect your skin from sun damage and premature aging, this is the conversation to share.
đź”— Fall is the perfect time to check in on your skin before winter hits. Scan your skin for free with my Skin Analysis app: https://realskin.theskinreal.com
In this episode:
0:00 — Why Skin Cancer Patients Are Getting Younger
0:20 — What Is Tanmaxxing? Meet Dr. Whitney Hovenic
2:54 — Spring Break Sunburns and the Return of Tanning
5:06 — How to Get Through to Gen Z: Just Don't Burn
7:47 — Self-Tanners, Sunscreen Habits and Skin Cancer in Your 20s
9:54 — Dermatology as Prevention: Sunscreen Cuts Melanoma Risk in Half
11:06 — The Base Tan Myth and Why Tanning Beds Are Coffins
12:42 — Even Dermatologists Get Burned
14:31 — Why Tinted Sunscreen Changes Everything
18:05 — How Much SPF Are You Really Getting?
19:28 — Rash Guards, Thong Bikinis and the Butt Melanoma Warning
23:25 — Tan Lines as Accessories and the Spray Tan Glow Up
25:35 — Tanning Beds Are Back and Lasers Can't Undo the Damage
29:47 — Coco Chanel, Beauty Standards and Why Skin Cancer Is Rising
31:55 — When Skin Cancer Isn't Treatable
32:44 — Vitamin D, Morning Sun, Altitude and Snow
36:00 — Final Advice and SPOOGE Sunscreen
📱Download The Skin Real app.
Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-skin-real/id6748411628
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=vyten.theskinreal&hl=en_US
🛍️ Shop My recommended skincare on Aire Health: https://www.airehealth.com/skinstore/drminaskin
đź”— Scan your skin with my AI app: https://realskin.theskinreal.com/
About the Guest:
Dr. Whitney Hovenic is a double board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon with a background in public health and a passion for advocacy. She has held leadership roles in multiple dermatology societies and proudly served as the founder and past president of the Nevada Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, where she has worked to advocate for patients and the dermatology community alike. She works frequently with the American Academy of dermatology, the American Society of dermatology, surgery, and the skin cancer foundation on advocacy and health access. As a mom to Gen Z and Gen Alpha girls—and a surgeon who regularly treats patients in their 20s and 30s with skin cancer—Dr. Hovenic has seen firsthand how tough it is to get younger generations to take sun protection seriously. That’s why she co-created Spooge: a skincare brand built to cut through the noise with smart products, a strong mission, and a sense of humor. The goal? Help young people protect their skin today so there’s less skin cancer to treat tomorrow—while also improving access to life-saving skin checks along the way.
Connect with Dr. Whitney Hovenic:
Website: https://www.spooge.co
Instagram: @spgskin
TikTok: @drwhitneyhovenic
About the host:
Dr. Mina is a board-certified dermatologist on a mission to cut through the noise and help women feel amazing in their skin again. After decades in clinic, she has taken her expertise online to offer trusted, no-fluff education and skin strategies that actually work. No filters. No fear tactics. Just science, simplicity, and a little fun!
Follow Dr. Mina here:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/drminaskin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drminaskin
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drminaskin
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drminaskin/
Visit The Skin Real Serenbe: https://theskinrealserenbe.com/
Thanks for tuning in. And remember, real skin care is real simple when you know who to trust.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
#TanMaxing #SkinCancerAwareness #Sunscreen #GenZSkincare #skincancer #Dermatologist #Melanoma #skincancerawareness
Is tanning bad for you? We explain why a base tan only gives you about SPF 2 to 4, how one blistering sunburn doubles your melanoma risk, and why tanning beds are carcinogens that are showing up again in gyms and college housing. We also cover how much sunscreen to apply, SPF 30 vs SPF 100, why tinted sunscreen is the best sunscreen for teens and anyone who hates sunscreen, self tanners and spray tans, the string bikini tan line trend, vitamin D and morning sunlight, the UV index, sun exposure at altitude and on snow, and why lasers can't fully reverse sun damage on your chest, neck and legs.
If you're Gen Z, raising a teenager, or want to protect your skin from sun damage and premature aging, this is the conversation to share.
đź”— Fall is the perfect time to check in on your skin before winter hits. Scan your skin for free with my Skin Analysis app: https://realskin.theskinreal.com
In this episode:
0:00 — Why Skin Cancer Patients Are Getting Younger
0:20 — What Is Tanmaxxing? Meet Dr. Whitney Hovenic
2:54 — Spring Break Sunburns and the Return of Tanning
5:06 — How to Get Through to Gen Z: Just Don't Burn
7:47 — Self-Tanners, Sunscreen Habits and Skin Cancer in Your 20s
9:54 — Dermatology as Prevention: Sunscreen Cuts Melanoma Risk in Half
11:06 — The Base Tan Myth and Why Tanning Beds Are Coffins
12:42 — Even Dermatologists Get Burned
14:31 — Why Tinted Sunscreen Changes Everything
18:05 — How Much SPF Are You Really Getting?
19:28 — Rash Guards, Thong Bikinis and the Butt Melanoma Warning
23:25 — Tan Lines as Accessories and the Spray Tan Glow Up
25:35 — Tanning Beds Are Back and Lasers Can't Undo the Damage
29:47 — Coco Chanel, Beauty Standards and Why Skin Cancer Is Rising
31:55 — When Skin Cancer Isn't Treatable
32:44 — Vitamin D, Morning Sun, Altitude and Snow
36:00 — Final Advice and SPOOGE Sunscreen
📱Download The Skin Real app.
Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-skin-real/id6748411628
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=vyten.theskinreal&hl=en_US
🛍️ Shop My recommended skincare on Aire Health: https://www.airehealth.com/skinstore/drminaskin
đź”— Scan your skin with my AI app: https://realskin.theskinreal.com/
About the Guest:
Dr. Whitney Hovenic is a double board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon with a background in public health and a passion for advocacy. She has held leadership roles in multiple dermatology societies and proudly served as the founder and past president of the Nevada Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, where she has worked to advocate for patients and the dermatology community alike. She works frequently with the American Academy of dermatology, the American Society of dermatology, surgery, and the skin cancer foundation on advocacy and health access. As a mom to Gen Z and Gen Alpha girls—and a surgeon who regularly treats patients in their 20s and 30s with skin cancer—Dr. Hovenic has seen firsthand how tough it is to get younger generations to take sun protection seriously. That’s why she co-created Spooge: a skincare brand built to cut through the noise with smart products, a strong mission, and a sense of humor. The goal? Help young people protect their skin today so there’s less skin cancer to treat tomorrow—while also improving access to life-saving skin checks along the way.
Connect with Dr. Whitney Hovenic:
Website: https://www.spooge.co
Instagram: @spgskin
TikTok: @drwhitneyhovenic
About the host:
Dr. Mina is a board-certified dermatologist on a mission to cut through the noise and help women feel amazing in their skin again. After decades in clinic, she has taken her expertise online to offer trusted, no-fluff education and skin strategies that actually work. No filters. No fear tactics. Just science, simplicity, and a little fun!
Follow Dr. Mina here:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/drminaskin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drminaskin
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drminaskin
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drminaskin/
Visit The Skin Real Serenbe: https://theskinrealserenbe.com/
Thanks for tuning in. And remember, real skin care is real simple when you know who to trust.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
#TanMaxing #SkinCancerAwareness #Sunscreen #GenZSkincare #skincancer #Dermatologist #Melanoma #skincancerawareness