SUNBURN tattoos are a growing trend this northern summer, with hundreds of sunbathers taking to social media such as Twitter and Instagram to post pictures of the stencilled burns on their bodies under the hashtag #sunburnart.
THE trend has prompted dermatologists to warn that the practice increases the risk of skin cancer.
The US-based Healthline website this week posted a tweet on its feed warning: It’s Not #SunburnArt, It’s Skin Cancer!” This has not stopped people from getting sunburn tattoos, from hearts to Batman symbols, and posting their “art” online. German dermatologist Thomas Dirschka says the trend becomes clear when walking along the beach in Mallorca, Spain. “You see more and more people trying to apply a permanent pigmentation to their skin through sunburn,” he said. Stencils from online retailers such as “Funtantattoo” are available in dozens of countries. “Looks cool,” a young woman said in Berlin. “I’ve tried it before myself, but it doesn’t last very long, so I don’t really see the point.” She would rather have a real tattoo. Dirschka says that severe sunburn can often lead to genetic mutations, which makes it it difficult for the skin to react to tumours and increases the risk of skin cancer. “Many say that they only do it on areas of their body that have not yet seen a lot of sun,” Dirschka said. The skin on parts like the underarms and the buttocks is particularly sensitive, increasing the risk of cancer. Not everyone is impressed by this new form of body art. One young man said: “I can’t understand why anyone would do that to themselves.” The dangers diminish if sunbathers apply sunscreen before placing the stencil on their skin. Still Dirschka advises people to avoid sunburns. People with darker skin may be able to sit all day in the sun without much harm, he said, but even they are not immune to the dangers of the sun. “Of course it hurts. It’s blistered and inflamed. It swells, takes time to heal and burns while showering,” he says, adding it was absurd that people wanted to go through such pain.