You absolutely don't need sunburns to get skin cancer from sun exposure. In fact, any skin tanning happens as a reaction to oxidative stress and DNA damage/repair! Of course, the amount of tanning is dependent on genetics, some people hardly tan at all. But if your skin gets darker due to sun exposure, it is evidence of radiation induced DNA damage. Sunburns may contribute a bit more, but it's the overall lifetime exposure to UV radiation, which is the main risk factor (accumulated DNA damage).

However, melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, also sometimes develops in areas hardly ever exposed to UV light. Like inside eyes, or in the groin. Melanocytes originate from the neural crest and are spread all over the body. Due to their ontogenetic origin (loose tissue association), melanoma is always bad news, while other forms of skin cancer hardly ever metastasize.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_tanning

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanocyte

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neural_crest

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Fire-Dragon-DoL a day ago | parent [-]

I see, so the goal is to not get tanning at all, essentially

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jijijijij 19 hours ago | parent [-]

You shouldn't seek any tanning, yes. Sun light exposure is also beneficial, as you may know. Mood, circadian rhythm, vitamin D, ... . Also, intense exposure on skin, which hasn't ramped up defenses is worse than on "trained" skin.

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Fire-Dragon-DoL 19 hours ago | parent [-]

Mostly concerned for my kids (although we are not in Australia, we are in Canada, west coast), we don't get sunburn and we avoid sun from 11 until 3 PM (if we do, we put sunscreen on), but usually we don't put sunscreen on after 3 PM, so I was re-evaluating my practice, since my daughter does get tanned over summer by simply playing at the playground at 10 AM in the summer

	▲	jijijijij 6 hours ago \| parent [-]
		The amount of tanning isn't really an indicator, because it depends on the genetics how much melanin is in the skin to begin with and how much is produced as reaction to damage. I think the most important thing to keep in mind is not trying to get tanned intentionally, like the generations before us. IIRC, in about 70% of melanoma cancers you have a good chance of catching it early and be done with it. Once it metastasizes melanoma got a very bad prognosis. So, as adult, it's also important to frequently screen for it. Other skin cancers are usually not existentially threatening, but can fuck you up aesthetically, e.g. removal sacrificing chunks of your nose. Personally, I use the UV index charts and avoid extremes, midday sun completely. I put on 50 SPF to my face and neck every time I leave the house. It's just routine. In winter I may skip it, because good sun screen is fucking expensive. Not so much about skin cancer, but rather skin aging. The face is always exposed. I am trying to get a little intentional sun exposure in spring after dark winter, slowly preparing my skin for summer and improving mood. However, I tan easily. If I had the skin type I, I would avoid the sun much more. Did you notice how many people these days look younger? Even in their 30s? I think that's no smoking, intentional nutrition, exercise and sun screen (from childhood on).