No, TikTok, Sunburn Tattoos Are Not a Cool or a Good Idea
Art may be in the eye of the beholder, but intentionally getting a crafty sunburn or suntan because TikTok said so is an awful idea, experts say.
A new trend circulating on the popular social media app encourages sunbathers to create “art” with UV rays. Viewers use stickers or other means to cover parts of the skin to the sun in order to create patterns. The trend has sparked concern with dermatologists and skin cancer experts, who say all sunburns, even ones crafted with an artistic eye, are dangerous.
“Any area of the skin that is sunburned is evidence that the cells have been damaged,” said Ashley Moss, a physician assistant in the Cutaneous Oncology Department at Moffitt Cancer Center. “A sunburn is just like any other burn to our skin.”
No Such Thing as a Healthy Tan
Getting a suntan is not healthy and there is no such thing as a healthy sunburn, Moss said. The same thing can be said for tanning beds. The UV exposure from a tanning bed increases the risk of skin cancer by 75% and even less severe burns can cause health issues.
“First degree sunburns affect the outer layer of the skin, and the skin turns red,” Moss said. “Second degree sunburns extend deeper and can cause blistering and redness. Those with third degree sunburns, though rare, should seek medical attention.”
In addition to causing pain, UV exposure also causes visible aging, wrinkles, a leathery skin appearance and scaly patches of skin. It’s important to remember that skin damage starts with your very first tan, and each time you tan, that damage builds, creating more genetic mutations and a greater risk of developing skin cancers like melanoma, the most dangerous of skin cancers.
According to the American Cancer Society, melanoma accounts for only 1% of skin cancers but causes a large majority of skin cancer deaths. The organization estimates that nearly 105,000 new melanomas will be diagnosed in the United States in 2025, with a slight majority of those being found in men. Nearly 8,500 people in the U.S. will die from melanoma this year.
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105,000
New melanomas will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2025
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8,500
People in the U.S. will die from melanoma this year
“The best way to prevent sun damage is to find shade,” Moss said. “It’s always recommended to wear sunscreen, a wide-brim hat and sun protective clothing with long sleeves.”
Remember To Protect Your Eyes
It’s also important to wear sunglasses. UV radiation can directly damage DNA, and it can cause several health concerns for our eyes, particularly damage to the conjunctiva, cornea and lens. Too much UV radiation can cause cataracts and pterygium, a pinkish, triangular tissue growth on the cornea that can enlarge to impair vision.
SUN SAFETY
Make wise decisions, experts say. You can reduce your risk of skin cancer if you follow these sun safety tips:
- Exposure: Limit sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when UV light is its most intense.
- Clothing: Protect your skin from sun damage with clothing, including a loose-fitting, long-sleeve shirt and long pants made of a tightly woven fabric. Swimming? Opt for a T-shirt or rash guard while in the water.
- Hat: Protect your head, ears, face and neck with the shade of a wide-brimmed hat constructed of a tightly woven fabric like canvas (UV rays can penetrate a straw hat). If you wear a baseball cap, use sunscreen on exposed areas like your face, neck and ears.
- Sunglasses: Wear sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays. Well-designed sunglasses can help prevent cataracts and protect the delicate skin around your eyes from the harmful effects of sun exposure.
- Shade: Seek shade under a shelter, umbrella or tree, especially during the midday hours. Use extra caution near surfaces that reflect the sun’s rays, like water and sand.
- Sunscreen: 30 minutes before going outside, always apply a waterproof, broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 15 to 30. Don’t forget your ears, the tops of your feet and the scalp. Reapply every two hours.
