Joining the long line of trending beauty fads, beer tanning is the latest hot topic in the TikTok world. Following the beer tanning trend, many influencers could be seen slathering beer on their skin while sunbathing, claiming that it speeds up tanning. However, the online medical community is warning against this trend, as beer tanning can increase your chances of heat exhaustion, sunburn, and even cancer!
What Is Beer Tanning?
Beauty influencers all over TikTok and Instagram are using beer as a tanning lotion. the trending hashtag #beertan has over 300,000 views, with many viewers expressing their curiosity and interest in trying beer tanning.
However, beer tanning is a terrible idea, claim experts. The content creators suggest that the hops used to make beer increase the production of melatonin, which increases the pigment of our skin. However, there is no scientific evidence that supports this claim, warned a large number of dermatologists online.
Also Read: Skincare 101: What Is Tan and How It Is Different From Sunburn
This TikTok trend, which certified skin care experts did not devise, can be disastrous as it promotes using beer in lieu of sunscreen. It is commonly known that UV rays can cause severe skin damage, including skin cancer. Not wearing sunscreen and letting an acidic liquid fry on your skin in the sun instead can directly increase your risk of sun damage.
Even if you use beer on top of your sunscreen, it is fairly obvious that your sunscreen will be washed off.
Tanning Increases Cancer Risk
Using beer as a tanning lotion can catapult your chances of getting sun damage. As per Cancer Research UK, sunburn is a clear sign that your skin cells' DNA has been damaged. The organisation stated on their website, 'Getting sunburn just once every two years can triple your risk of melanoma skin cancer, compared to never being burnt.'
Explaining how to recognise sunburn, they stated, 'Sunburn doesn’t have to be raw, peeling or blistering. If your skin has gone pink or red in the sun, it’s sunburnt. For people with darker skin, it may feel irritated, tender or itchy.'
Lathering beer while sunbathing can also increase your chances of getting heat exhaustion, as the boiling liquid on the skin adds to the heat of the sun. Some of the symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Confusion
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling feverish
- Excessive sweating
- Dehydration
- Stomach, arm, and leg cramps
- Rapid breathing or pulse
In fact, dermatologists claim that tanning in general is not safe. Getting a tan is in actuality a sign of damaged skin DNA, which markedly catapults your risk of getting skin cancer.
Also Read: Can Sunglasses Cause Sunburn? Expert Explains If You Should Use It For Protection
Even if you are able to escape from the clutches of clim cancer, skin tanning using beer, sun beds, or simply laying out in the sun can accelerate your skin's ageing process, as the damage caused by UV rays breaks down your skin's collagen. Collagen is essential to sustain skin elasticity and vigour. One sign of skin ageing due to sun damage is photo ageing, which causes rough textured skin covered in brown blotchy marks, red bumps, and wrinkles.
In conclusion, online beauty content creators are widely divided on the matter of beer tanning. The key takeaway is that beer tanning was being proclaimed by uncertified beauty experts, while licensed dermatologists have been calling this TikTok hack incredibly dangerous for your skin and overall well-being. Meanwhile, for those who still want a beauty glow, experts recommend that using safe self-tanning lotions, that also contain nutritious properties for the skin, might be the way to go. Keep in mind that sunscreen is your skin's best friend. Not only will it protect you from ageing, but also chronic diseases like skin cancer.