It is May in South Florida, and that means pool parties, beach weekends, and the familiar bronze glow that comes with the season. For many people here, spray tans and self-tanners are a year-round routine, not a special occasion splurge. They look great. They feel safe compared to baking in the sun. And for a lot of patients, they feel like a responsible choice.
But there is something important that does not get talked about enough: that beautiful, even color coating your skin may be hiding changes underneath that a dermatologist needs to catch early.
This is not a reason to panic. It is a reason to be informed.
Self-tanning products, including spray tans and at-home lotions, use a chemical called dihydroxyacetone (DHA) to temporarily darken the outermost layer of skin. The result looks like a tan but has nothing to do with UV exposure or melanin production.
That distinction matters for one key reason: DHA-based tans create a surface-level color that can visually blend with, obscure, or alter the appearance of moles, spots, and lesions sitting underneath.
None of this means self-tanners are dangerous products. It means that wearing them regularly while skipping professional skin checks creates a gap in your skin health monitoring that can have real consequences.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and South Florida's year-round UV intensity means local residents are exposed more consistently than people in most other parts of the country. South Florida's sun makes year-round skin cancer screenings essential for exactly this reason.
The types of changes that are most important to catch early include:
When skin is covered in a self-tanner, some of these changes can be genuinely difficult to see, even when doing a careful self-exam at home. And many people who use self-tanners regularly may feel less urgency to check their skin because they are not in the sun getting "real" UV tans. That confidence, while understandable, can lead to delays in catching something that needed earlier attention.
If you have also noticed new or changing spots alongside other skin concerns, it is worth reading about when to get moles and skin tags checked in South Florida.
A lot of patients are not sure what to expect from a full-body skin exam, which sometimes makes it easier to put off scheduling one. Here is what the process looks like at Dermatology Experts:
Before your appointment, it is a good idea to arrive without self-tanner on your skin, or as close to that as possible. Coming in without a fresh spray tan gives your dermatologist the clearest possible view of your natural skin tone and any changes present. If you have an active spray tan that has not faded, mention it at your appointment so your provider can note it.
It is also worth knowing that a full-body skin check before summer travel or vacation is one of the most practical things you can do this time of year, especially if it has been more than a year since your last exam.
Dr. Angelo Ayar is a board-certified dermatologist trained at the University of Michigan, with a background in skin cancer research. At Dermatology Experts, he and the team take a thorough, unhurried approach to skin cancer screenings. Patients are treated as informed partners, not just appointment slots.
The practice has three convenient locations across South Florida, including Tamarac, Parkland, and Miami, and serves patients throughout Broward County, Miami-Dade County, Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs, Boca Raton, Pompano Beach, and surrounding communities.
With May bringing more beach days, more outdoor events, and more reason to reach for the self-tanner, this is also the right time to make sure your skin is actually being seen. Early detection can make a significant difference in outcomes, and a skin check is a straightforward, low-stress way to stay ahead of something serious.
If it has been more than a year since your last full-body skin exam, or if you have noticed any changes in your moles or skin, call Dermatology Experts at (954) 726-2000 or visit dermexperts.com to schedule your appointment. Serving Tamarac, Parkland, Miami, and communities throughout South Florida.