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The Sun: The artist dermatologists are blaming for the dangerous sunburn art trend

People are increasing their risk of melanoma by applying sunscreen to their bodies in patterns after the uncovered parts burn from the sun. #Sunburnart is trending on Twitter and Instagram.

on July 03, 2015

Now that summer is in full swing and everyone is out soaking up some warm sun, it’s time to find ways to get rid of awkward tan lines—or is it?

It’s common knowledge that sunburn now can lead to much greater health risks. Dermatologists have recommended regular sunscreen application for decades and technology is even helping educate people about the positive effects of the sun protecting lotion.

So with all of this awareness about sun safety, dermatologists everywhere are dropping their jaws at the new trend of sunburn art. It even has it’s own hashtag, #sunburnart–that means it has to be cool, right?

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By applying sunscreen in a pattern on arms, legs, backs or bellies, people allow those areas to stay protected by the sun while the unprotected areas cook the body until it colors leaving an outline of the areas of the body that were protected by sun screen.

In response to the trend, a Westchester dermatologist, Dr. Debbie Palmer, said, “To increase your skin cancer risk for the purpose of innovative body art is not recommended. Sunburn’s effects are long-lasting.”

Even though it may be interesting to look at, this willful burning of skin greatly increases people’s chance at developing serious health risks later down the road.

Something tells me art should be a little less life endangering, after all, I thought temporary tattoos were meant to serve the purpose of a cool, short lived pattern.

Here are some patterns people are putting their life at risk for. Do you think it’s worth it?

 

Photo: From Twitter user Sorry Mummy