Put down that beer; it's not a tanning lotion
The University of Cincinnati's Kelly Dobos joined WVXU's Cincinnati Edition to discuss what's fact and what's myth when it comes to sunscreen use, different kinds of sunscreen and a social media recommendation to use beer on your skin to help get a tan.
"There’s no scientific evidence that putting beer on your skin will help you develop a tan," said Dobos, a cosmetic chemist and adjunct instructor in UC's Cosmetic Science Program in the James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy. "The only thing I think it’s scientifically proven to do is to make your skin sticky and attract bugs."
Dobos noted even if this myth were true, purposefully aiming to get a tan should not be a goal.
"If you’re not using sunscreen to protect your skin and you’re trying to get a tan, what I would say is that tanning is your skin trying to protect itself," she said. "So you've already done damage when you’re developing a tan. Your skin is producing more melanin trying to protect the DNA in your cells from future sun damage. So it’s really important if you’re going to be out in the sun for a prolonged period of time to wear sunscreen."
Listen to the Cincinnati Edition segment.
Featured photo a top of a person applying sunscreen. Photo/simonkr/iStock.
Latest UC News
- Cincinnati researchers want to know if MRIs can work betterWVXU and the Cincinnati Business Courier highlighted a new collaboration between the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, UC Health GE HealthCare, JobsOhio, REDI Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s to create an MRI Research and Development Center of Excellence located on UC’s medical campus.
- UC 1819 Innovation Hub workshop spreads AI awarenessMicrosoft and Disrupt Now joined forces to run a June 24-27 seminar at UC’s 1819 Innovation Hub teaching Cincinnati residents how to responsibly use AI.
- UC opens Blood Cancer Healing CenterMedia outlets including WLWT, Local 12, Spectrum News, the Cincinnati Enquirer and Cleveland.com highlighted the opening of the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center's Blood Cancer Healing Center.
- UC to celebrate 100th anniversary of Nippert Stadium dedication all seasonCincinnati Athletics will commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the dedication of Nippert Stadium during the entire 2024 football season, celebrating the life of stadium namesake Jimmy Nippert as the Bearcats' season-long theme. The celebration will take center stage Nov. 9, 2024 when the Bearcats face former BIG EAST rival West Virginia on Carson Field.
- Financial factors to consider when movingMoving can be a stressful and expensive endeavor. When it comes time to move, there are important financial implications to consider, Gary Painter, PhD, the academic director of the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business real estate program and a professor of real estate, told USA Today.
- New project aims to better support teen mothers in Adams CountyWCPO highlighted a partnership between the University of Cincinnati and the Adams County Health Department that is aiming to provide better support for teen mothers in the county.