Social media has been abuzz over people using Coca-Cola for self-tanning or as a tan accelerant, but a local dermatologist says itโs something you should avoid.
โIโm not sure itโs really prevalent in Dayton yet, but Iโm sure itโs out there,โ said Dr. Kathryn Balazs of Dermatologists ofย Southwest Ohio.
The caramel coloring in the soda will darken your skin, but the citric acid could lead to sun damage, wrinkles and an increased risk of skin cancer, Balazs said.
โIt can thin the skin and actually cause increased burning. We donโt think itโs a good idea at all because people arenโt using sunscreen and they are doing this Coca-Cola thing, which is very dangerous,โ she said.
Beavercreek mom Samantha Harper said she slathers sunscreen on her kids and admits sheโs not great about wearing sunscreen herself, but Coca-Cola?
โIโve never heard of anything crazier,โ said Harper. โI donโt even drink Coca-Cola, so I donโt want it in my body and I donโt want it on my body.โ
A Coca-Cola company spokesperson issued this statement about the trend: โAs much as we love Coca-cola, we really wouldnโt recommend using it in this way. There is no sun protection factor in it at all, itโs a drink!โ