Updated: April 03, 2013

By Christa Fletcher

"Wanna go tan?"

Those words probably don't seem like a threat to you, but recent skin cancer studies prove the harmful effects of tanning -- especially for teens -- can be fatal. Getting some sun won't only wrinkle your skin to look like a cheap leather bag, sun exposure increases your risk of getting a deadly skin cancer, melanoma.

Even though many teens are the most tanorexic sun worshipers out there, high-risk tanning in the sun, in tanning beds and from sun lamps are habit-forming, carcinogenic, and has recently proven to actually be addictive. Hmm...makes tanning sound a lot like cigarettes.

In fact, one person in the U.S. dies from melanoma every 62 minutes. Pretty scary, considering skin cancer can be prevented and treated. Turns out the cost to look bronzed is higher than most think. Guess who's NOT dying to look tan in their new bikini? Celebrities. According to beauty director Eva Chen of Teen Vogue, even the most notoriously glam tan stars use self-tanning products. "I remember J.Lo for instance, when she was first coming out on the scene and everyone was like, 'Wow, she has this beautiful glow. She's always so tan,' but her makeup artist told me, it's all fake."

Makeup artists apply bronzers, self-tanners, illuminators and makeup to the naturally pale glitterati. "And, I think that's very smart for celebrities," said Chen. "They aren't going to have as long of a career if they have sun damage like wrinkles or scars from removing melanomas. That's not sexy."

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Carol Drucker agrees, "For teens who insist on getting color, a spray-on tan is the only safe tan."

Dr. Drucker, who is also a professor of dermatology at The University of Texas, encourages teens to trade in their tan for even better fashion accessories, like big sunglasses and floppy hats. "This season, it's easy for teens to stock up on cute, stylish hats that will also shield their face in the sun and big sunglasses that will block out more sun," she explained in an email. Plus, she said it's easy to protect your skin every day, "It's important to find products -- make-up, hairspray, hand lotions -- that already have SPF and add it to a daily routine."

Looking chic and keeping our skin safe? We're in!