WASHINGTON, DC — A TikTok beauty trend is drawing attention for all the wrong reasons: influencers are showing people how to use sunscreen placement to create a contoured, more tanned look. The idea is to darken or highlight parts of the face, but dermatologists say the whole premise is backwards. If the goal is a sculpted look, makeup is the safer route.
Dr. Marisa Grace Ponzo said the risk is especially concerning because the face and neck are already among the most sun-exposed parts of the body. She noted that tanning means skin cells are taking in too much ultraviolet light, and that no amount of tanning is considered medically safe.
Why People Are Trying It
The appeal appears to be simple vanity with a social media gloss: people are praising the trick online and saying they want to try it during summer. But the trend is getting a blunt response from skin doctors, who say it can add unnecessary UV exposure to areas that are already prone to damage.
That is what makes this trend stand out. It is not a harmless beauty shortcut, but a habit that can encourage people to treat sun exposure like a styling tool. Doctors warn that cumulative UV exposure raises the chances of skin cancer over time, with the face taking a particularly hard hit.
How It Started
The videos appear to come from influencers on social platforms, but the source does not identify a single creator or verify one original post as the start of the trend. What is clear is that the content has been circulating as a summer beauty hack, with viewers reacting as if it is a clever new idea rather than a health risk.
Ponzo’s warning is framed as a reminder that tanning is not a sign of healthy skin. She pointed out that skin cancer often shows up on sun-exposed areas, especially the face and neck, which is exactly where this contouring approach would focus attention and exposure.
What Doctors Recommend
The medical advice here is refreshingly unglamorous. Ponzo recommends sun safety basics such as using about half a teaspoon of sunscreen on the face and neck, roughly two finger lengths, and about one ounce or a shot glass for the body. She also advises avoiding peak sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Protective clothing and hats are part of the same prescription. The source also points readers to a fuller interview with Ponzo, but the core message is already clear: if someone wants the contoured look, they should reach for makeup, not more sun. Any social media trend that treats tanning as harmless deserves a second look.
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