Bryan Johnson, the self-proclaimed biohacker on a mission to “live forever”, has revealed the one everyday habit he believes is secretly making people age faster.
And unlike his usual high-tech anti-aging routines, this one’s surprisingly simple.
The 48-year-old tech entrepreneur, who has spent millions trying to reverse his biological age through a strict wellness program called Blueprint, says the biggest culprit behind premature aging is something many people still consider a sign of health: a tan.
A tan is a sign your skin is damaged
In a YouTube video shared in 2024, Johnson told his followers that tanning might make you look vibrant in the short term, but in reality, it’s damaging your skin and speeding up visible aging.
“A tan is a sign your skin is damaged,” he said. “The sun is good, of course, for many reasons; it increases vitamin D, it can improve mood, and it can help with sleep. But it can cause collagen damage, and it can also lead to cancer.”
Johnson explained that excessive sun exposure can break down collagen and elastin, the proteins responsible for firm, youthful skin. Over time, this leads to sagging, wrinkles, and discoloration.
Credit: YouTube.
The best time to be outdoors, according to Johnson
The biohacker, who claims his intense regimen has given him “the heart of a 37-year-old and the lung capacity of an 18-year-old,” says timing is everything when it comes to sun exposure.
To minimize UV damage, he advises going outside only when the UV index is below 3; usually early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
“You’ll want to stay out of the sun between 10AM and 4PM, when it’s at its strongest,” he said. “And that includes cloudy days, winter months, and high altitudes.”
How to protect your skin if you can’t avoid the sun
For those who can’t escape sunlight due to work or lifestyle, Johnson recommends prioritizing protection rather than avoiding the outdoors altogether.
His go-to tips include:
- Applying sunscreen with strong UVA and UVB protection
- Wearing a wide-brimmed hat
- Using a UV-blocking umbrella when outdoors for long periods
“Sun protection,” he says, “isn’t just about vanity, it’s about longevity.”
The hidden risks of too much sun
Johnson’s advice isn’t just about looks. The American Academy of Dermatology warns that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, often due to prolonged UV exposure.
Credit: Bryan Johnson / Instagram.
Sunburn, especially repeated or severe burns, accelerates skin aging and significantly increases the risk of developing basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma; the deadliest form of skin cancer.
On top of that, overexposure can cause sun poisoning, which brings on symptoms like fever, chills, nausea, and blistering.
Johnson may be known for his extreme biohacking experiments (from strict calorie control to plasma infusions) but this time, his advice is refreshingly simple: skip the tan if you want to stay young.