Dermatologists are issuing urgent warnings about the ‘sunburn tattoo’ trend on TikTok, where teens use UV exposure to create temporary designs on their skin. This practice, which involves intentional sunburns, leads to cumulative UV damage, accelerating skin aging and significantly increasing cancer risks, including melanoma. Experts caution that such damage is not temporary and can result in long-term health consequences.
The trend, where young people intentionally allow their skin to burn while wearing stickers, tape, or sunscreen to create artistic designs, has become a viral sensation on social media platforms. However, skin care experts are strongly advising against it, highlighting the potential for severe long-term health effects. Dr. Anthony Rossi, a double board-certified dermatologic surgeon in New York City, emphasized that while the trend may appear creative or harmless, it involves deliberate UV damage to the skin.