SOME people will go to extreme lengths to get a sun-kissed glow for summer.
The latest tanning trend? Showering in beer.
GettyExperts have criticised a ‘dangerous’ new ‘trend’ which involves pouring beer on your skin to get a tan[/caption]
TikTokTikTok users have filmed themselves testing out the ‘insane’ hack[/caption]
TikTok users claim smothering your skin in lager offers “the best tan ever” and a speedy way to get bronzed.
But experts have described the dubious so-called “hack” as downright dangerous.
Not only does it make you sticky and a fly-magnet, it also puts you at risk of heatstroke, sun poisoning and deadly skin cancer.
Kathryn Clifford, co-founder of skin cancer awareness charity Skcin, told The Sun: “I can barely believe this insanity exists.
“This is an extremely dangerous so-called ‘trend’ with potentially very serious consequences.
“Sun damage is cumulative and irreparable and the direct cause of 90 per cent of the UK’s most common cancer.
“Tan-seekers of all kinds are at serious risk of developing all types of skin cancer and burning of the skin is strongly linked to the development of melanoma – the most serious life-threatening form of the disease.
“Furthermore, skin cancer is disproportionately high in young adults and one of the biggest killing cancers in the 15 to 34 age group – the same age group that uses this social platform more than any other.
“Given that one in five of us in the UK will develop skin cancer – this kind of damaging content should be banned and TikTok should use it as an opportunity to educate their users and raise awareness on a global public health concern.”
Other sun protection experts shared the same concerns about the “unthinkable lengths” people go to to achieve a tan.
Jason Goldberg, director at SpaSeekers.com, warned beer could leave you vulnerable to sun poisoning.
While Stefano Pietrini said: “Using beer to tan, especially without SPF, significantly raises the risk of sunburn, heatstroke and, with continued use, premature ageing.
“Without SPF, it only takes 10 minutes in the sun to start burning.
“Over time, this poses the risk of skin cancer, with 70 per cent of cases caused by sun damage.
“These odds are higher than ever, as 100,000 new cases are diagnosed in the UK every year.”
‘INSANITY’
Stefano said people probably think beer might be a good tan-enhancer because hops, a key ingredient, supposedly increases the production of melanin – a substance that makes our skin darker.
But this doesn’t make it suitable for sunbathing.
“Any method used to accelerate tanning actually does more harm than good and will result in permanent skin damage,” he added.
“Remember, no matter how appealing a tan may seem this summer, nothing is worth the irreversible damage created through this trend.”
The NHS states there is no safe or healthy way to get a tan, and great care should be taken when in the sun.
This includes spending time in the shade when the sun is strongest – between 11am and 3pm in the UK – and covering up with suitable clothing.
Using sun cream with an SPF of at least 30 is also vital to protect against UVB, and your product of choice should also have a UVA star rating of four or above.
UV exposure is the main preventable cause of skin cancer – the most common form of the disease in the UK.
At least 100,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, and the disease kills more than 2,500 annually.
Experiencing severe sunburn, particularly in childhood, increases the risk of developing it in later life.
TikTokExperts have warned of the potential dangers[/caption]
TikTokKathryn Clifford, from charity Skcin, said: ‘I can barely believe this insanity exists’[/caption]
TikTokOthers say it puts you at risk of sunburn, heatstroke and skin cancer[/caption]
Tips for using sun cream properly
IT’S important to use sunscreen properly to get the level of protection it says on the bottle.
To do this, Cancer Research UK recommends you do the following:
Make sure you put enough on – people often put on much less sunscreen than they need to. Apply sunscreen evenly and thickly. Make sure that you’re putting enough on if using a spray or roll on sunscreen.
Reapply sunscreen regularly throughout the day including ‘once a day’ and ‘water resistant’ products. Sunscreen can rub, sweat or wash off – even if it’s supposed to be waterproof. It’s especially important to put more on after towelling dry. Reapplying also helps avoid missing bits of skin.
Check the expiry date on your sunscreen before you use it. Look for a symbol with the letter M and a number that shows how many months the sunscreen will last after opening.