I’m a skin expert – I beg you not to make a dangerous tanning mistake on your summer holidays

BRITS have been basking in high temperatures recently.

And while it may be cloudy in some parts of the UK today – many of us are all booked in for a Summer holiday.

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After Covid lockdowns, it’s no wonder we are keen to jet off to sunnier climates and get a golden glow.

While exposure to the sun can contribute to our vitamin D levels, it can also leave us pink if we don’t use the correct protection.

Getting sunburnt increases your risk of skin cancer, and to protect yourself you should wear the correct sun screen.

The NHS says you should use an SPF of at least 30 for protection with a 4-star UVA rating.

But as always, there’s a TikTok trend doing the rounds, promising to give you a ‘beaut tan’.

Influencer Miriam Mrovili shared the hack, which she explained involved mixing moisturise and water in a spray bottle.

While Miriam said she did apply sun protection first, experts have warned people to not take part in the trend.

Skin experts at JustMyLook strongly advised against the 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).

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

“Apply the equivalent of a shot glass (two tbsp) of sunscreen to the exposed areas of the face and body to achieve the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) stated on the bottle of sun cream.”

They said that this way, you can still reap the benefits of the sun while minimising the risk.

This particular hack is dangerous as the water mixed with moisturiser could make the SPF less effective.

With most products, if you come into contact with water, whether from the rain or a dip in the pool – you have to apply again.

TANNING FAIL

Medics previously warned against following online tanning trends such as nasal sprays.

Viewers of viral videos on TikTok are scrambling to get their hands on a bottle – despite there being no clear evidence the drops actually work.

And skin doctors are warning that they could lead to awful side effects such as high blood pressure, spontaneous erections and even worse – skin cancer.

Almost all cases of skin cancer are preventable. That’s why Central Recorder’s Fabulous raises awareness of the dangers of tanning products, such as sunbeds, with its campaign, Dying For A Tan.

The NHS states that there is “no safe or healthy way to get a tan”, and that tanning does not protect your skin from harmful effects.

By not using an SPF that’s right for you, and not covering parts of your body, you could risk sunburn or further damaging your skin.

Doctors previously urged people to not try ‘tanning contouring’, another popular TikTok trend.

LloydsPharmacy pharmacist Anshu Kaura said that in the UK, you should wear SPF across your exposed skin from March onwards.

She said: “It’s important to remember that the sun in the UK can be very powerful during the summer months and we’re not exempt from its damaging effects.

“The sun is strongest in the UK between March and October and between the hours of 11am and 3pm.

“The NHS advise wearing SPF 30 during these months and staying out of the sun in the hours where it’s at its strongest.”

Anyone can get skin cancer and Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the UK.

There are more than 16,000 cases a year and approximately 2,300.