Safety warning issued over 'dangerous' TikTok hack promising 'the best tan ever'

29 June 2023 , 21:35

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Users have claimed smothering your skin in lager offers "the best tan ever" (Image: Getty Images)

A potentially deadly TikTok tanning hack has been slammed by skin experts.

TikTokers have been sharing a bizarre hack for getting a sunkissed glow that involves smothering your skin in beer.

Users have claimed smothering your skin in lager offers "the best tan ever" - hailing it as a cheap and speedy way to get bronzed.

However, despite leaving the skin a sticky fly magnet, skin experts have claimed it could lead to heatstroke, or even 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.

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"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."

TikTokers have been sharing their bizarre beer hack (Getty Images/EyeEm)

Jason Goldberg, director at SpaSeekers.com, warned beer could leave you vulnerable to sun poisoning.

Experts have also hit out against another so-called tanning hack, trend, shared by TikTok influencer Miriam Mrovili, and involves mixing together moisturiser and water in a spray bottle.

This mixture is then applied to a person's skin both before and during sunbathing, resulting in what Miriam describes as a "beaut tan."

However, not everyone has been so impressed, begging Miriam to make sure she also applies plenty of sun cream and reminding her to remember her skin is "so precious."

Skincare experts at JustMyLook issued the following warning regarding the tip: “We strongly advise against undertaking this hack.

"Not only is the process unsafe, but exposure to the sun in this way with no protection can severely increase the risk of sunburn which can lead to melanoma (skin cancer).

They added: “We recommend wearing an SPF of 30 or more and applying it 15 minutes before exposing your skin to the sun.

The NHS warns "there is no safe or healthy way to get a tan from sunlight”, also warning that a tan provides little protection against further exposure to the sun.

NHS also advises to strike a balance between protecting yourself from the sun and getting enough vitamin D from sunlight.

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Sun safety tips

Spend time in the shade when the sun is strongest. In the UK, this is between 11am and 3pm from March to October.

Make sure you:

• spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm
• never burn
• cover up with suitable clothing and sunglasses
• take extra care with children
• use at least factor 30 sunscreen

Abigail O'Leary