© 2026 ABC News

Withrow's sunscreen contouring hack video has since received more than 12 million views and left many people with questions on how, or if, it works. Others wondered whether it was safe to be doing at all.

NYC-based dermatologist Dr. Michelle Henry told \"GMA\" it's \"absolutely unsafe.\"

\"Any excess sun exposure can increase the risk for skin cancer. UV is a known carcinogen and not a natural source of contouring the skin,\" she said.

It can possibly lead to skin cancer in the future, burns and accelerated aging from exposed areas, according to Henry.

While these potential skin dangers could be an unwanted result, TikTokers have continued to try out the \"hack.\"

\"It's definitely not something any dermatologist can recommend,\" NYC-based dermatologist Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali told \"GMA.\"

He continued, \"In reality, any kind of tan is usually the result of damage to your skin from UV radiation and, long term, will not only increase your chances of skin cancer, but it will also increase sun damage, including collagen breakdown, pigment issues and increased vascularity.\"

Experts recommend that it's better to use a tinted sunscreen or contouring with regular makeup.

How should you be using sunscreen?

\"I love using an elegant lightweight sunscreen over the entire face to both protect the skin and hydrate it,\" said Henry. \"Olay Regenerist Whip SPF 25 is lightweight, powerfully hydrating thanks to vitamin B3, and has SPF 25 -- it's a must-try.\"

She recommends applying sunscreen to your full face -- about a nickel-sized amount of product to ensure adequate coverage. Also, be sure to remember your ears and under your chin, and reapply every two hours.

\"PHOTO:
Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images, FILE
PHOTO: In this undated file photo, a woman basks in sunlight.
>

In addition to using a daily SPF, Bhanusali also recommends wearing adequate sun protection such as hats or staying in the shade when possible. He likes sunscreens that absorb easily, such as offerings from EltaMD, Supergoop and Neutrogena.

Bhanusali also advised, \"Consistency is key and it's worth experimenting with a few brands to find the ones that fit your skin best.\"

","canonicalUrl":"https://abcnews.com/GMA/Style/dermatologists-warn-tiktok-sunscreen-contouring-hack/story?id=77553553","legacySlug":"/style/story/dermatologists-warn-tiktok-sunscreen-contouring-hack-77553553","noIndexNoFollow":false},"publishTime":"20:28","publishDate":"05-11-2021","updatedTime":"20:28","updatedDate":"05-11-2021","socialImage":{"alt":"In this undated file photo, a woman basks in sunlight.","credit":"Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images, FILE","ratio":"16x9","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/woman-shadows-portrait-gty-jt-210510_1620673708195_hpMain_16x9_1600.jpg","width":992,"height":558},"datePublished":"5/11/2021 20:28:20 GMT","video":{"live":false,"id":77553553,"headline":"Dermatologists warn against sunscreen contouring","mediaAssetTitle":"GMA SUNSCREEN BRONZER","description":"Experts weigh in the sunscreen beauty hack all over TikTok.","duration":"1:47","posterImg":{"url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/default-img-undefined.png","width":608,"height":342},"video":{"feed":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2020/07/200720_gma_bowe_0824_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8"},"playlist":["77620788","77599857","77620789"]},"relatedItems":[{"contentType":"story","date":"May 11, 2021","headline":"Britney Spears debuts champagne pink hair, reflects on her past iconic looks","section":"style","slug":"/style/story/britney-spears-debuts-champagne-pink-hair-reflects-past-77620788","id":77620788,"image":{"alt":"Britney Spears debuts champagne pink hair, reflects on her past iconic looks","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/britney-spears-file-gty-ml-210511_1620743539617_hpMain_4x3t_240.jpg","credit":"Ethan Miller/Getty Images, FILE","ratio":"1x1"}},{"contentType":"story","date":"May 10, 2021","headline":"Duchess Meghan wears 'woman power' necklace at Vax Live event ","section":"style","slug":"/style/story/duchess-meghan-markle-wears-woman-power-necklace-vax-77599857","id":77599857,"image":{"alt":"Duchess Meghan wears 'woman power' necklace at Vax Live event ","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/meghan-markle-vaxevent-nc-jt-210510_1620666507986_hpMain_4x3t_240.jpg","credit":"Eric Benetti/Avalon via Newscom","ratio":"1x1"}},{"contentType":"story","date":"May 11, 2021","headline":"Mariah Carey drops exclusive Pride Month merch","section":"style","slug":"/style/story/mariah-carey-drops-exclusive-pride-month-merch-77620789","id":77620789,"image":{"alt":"Mariah Carey drops exclusive Pride Month merch","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/mariah-t-ht-rc-210511_1620746346927_hpMain_4x3t_240.jpg","credit":"MariahCareyShop.com","ratio":"1x1"}}],"relatedContentSection":"news","schemaContent":{"name":"Dermatologists warn against sunscreen contouring","description":"Experts weigh in the sunscreen beauty hack all over TikTok.","duration":"1:47","uploadDate":"05-11-2021","publication":"05-11-2021","images":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/default-img-undefined.png","url":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2020/07/200720_gma_bowe_0824_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8","contentUrl":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2020/07/200720_gma_bowe_0824_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8","link":"https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/style/story/dermatologists-warn-tiktok-sunscreen-contouring-hack-77553553"}},"playlist":[{"id":"132569874","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132567885","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132510121","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132473181","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132497933","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132281378","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132283010","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132273278","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132231169","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132206748","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132200241","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132054443","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132054798","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132033010","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131912713","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131830583","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131834976","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131554765","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131554815","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131543053","contentType":"story","section":"news"}],"kvps":{"pgtyp":"article","lang":"en","sp":"goodmorningamerica","programmatic":"true","bundleId":"com.abcnews"}},"analytics":{"accountID":"wdgnewwdgnewgmaweb","ns":"gma","pageName":"gma:style:video","pageType":"video","globalSpecVersion":"v1.08","siteDifferentiator":"gma:site","tagID":"g_page01","userABCookie":"0","section":"style","title":"Dermatologists warn against sunscreen contouring","pubTime":"16:28","pubDate":"05-11-2021","modTime":"16:28","modDate":"05-11-2021","taxonomyTags":"none","id":77553553,"editorialOtherSubjects":"","wordCount":"none","columns":"none","authors":"","authorsUnit":"none","authorsBureau":"none","subBrand":"Good Morning America","provider":"Good Morning America","videoName":"Dermatologists warn against sunscreen contouring","mediaAssetTitle":"GMA SUNSCREEN BRONZER","videoId":77553553,"mediaOnPage":"video","legacySlug":"/style/story/dermatologists-warn-tiktok-sunscreen-contouring-hack-77553553"},"taboola":{}},"request":{"headers":{},"httpVersion":"1.1","method":"GET","url":"/video/77553553","vary":{"host":"www.goodmorningamerica.com","cached":true,"path":"/video/77553553","forwarded-proto":"https","device":"desktop","userab":"0"}},"viewport":{"width":1260,"height":0},"user":{}};