By Mallory Mattingly
While summer’s almost over, parents should know about a “tattoo” trend that’s gone viral on social media.
Sunburn tattoos, also known as sunscreen art, involve “the use of “medical tape, stickers, or sunscreen to create designs and achieve a tattoo-like effect on the skin,” according to Parents.
Videos see people put designs on their skin and then lay out in the sun to get burned so the art appears.
One user on TikTok shared her day one sunscreen tattoo progress and said, “This will be an ongoing project over the summer.”
https://www.tiktok.com/@allyally012/video/7514863205584325930?embed_source=121374463%2C121468991%2C121439635%2C121749182%2C121433650%2C121404359%2C121497414%2C121477481%2C121351166%2C121811500%2C121487028%2C121679410%2C121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%2C121819198%3Bnull%3Bembed_blank&refer=embed&referer_url=www.parents.com%2Fthe-dangers-of-sunburn-tattoos-11794446&referer_video_id=7514863205584325930
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While this trend may seem harmless, it can cause serious harm to people’s skin longterm.
“Sunburn tattoos may look like harmless body art, but they are actually a sign of serious skin damage,” Whitney Hovenic, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon and co-founder of the ‘all-screen’ brand SPOOGE, told Parents.
Brendan Camp, MD, FAAD, of MDCS Dermatology in New York, added that “Tans represent the skin’s attempt to protect itself from the effects of UV rays. Skin cells produce more melanin pigment in response to sun exposure to protect important cellular structures, like DNA, from the damage caused by UV rays.”
A sunburn reveals that the skin is injured and can lead to skin cancer later in life.
“Experiencing five or more blistering sunburns between the ages of 15 and 20 can increase an individual’s melanoma risk by 80%,” Dr. Sara Moghaddam, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon, told Fox News Digital.
With all the risk factors involved in sunscreen art, how should parents go about warning their kids of its damaging effects?
“Remind teens that protecting their skin now is one of the best investments they can make for their health and confidence in the future,” Dr. Hovenic urged.
She suggested parents offer other options like spray tans, body paint or temporary metallic tattoos as alternatives.
“These allow for creative self-expression without causing irreversible harm to their skin health,” Dr. Hallie McDonald, MD, said.
Looking for other ways to protect yourself and your kids from dangerous sun exposure?
“Limit sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when UV light is its most intense,” Moffitt Cancer Center suggested. Also, seeking shade and wearing loose-fitting clothing and a hat can keep you safe, too.
Whether or not your teen hopped on this trend, it’s never to late to redirect their choices that will impact their future.
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