iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — A social media trend is leaving dermatologists burned up this summer.
Many people who see their skin as a blank canvas for art get a tattoo, but what about getting something else that may be just as permanent?
A new social media trend called #sunburnart has people showing off their burned skin after strategically placing sunscreen or fabric in artsy patterns and letting the sun work its magic.
Naturally, dermatologists and medical professionals are not interested in the craze.
The Skin Cancer Foundation released a statement urging people to find another creative outlet because of the irreversible damage sunburn can cause.
“Sunburns cause DNA damage to the skin, accelerate skin aging, and increase your lifetime skin cancer risk,” said the statement. “In fact, sustaining five or more sunburns in youth increases lifetime melanoma risk by 80 percent. On average, a person’s risk for melanoma doubles if he or she has had more than five sunburns.”
The statement also said a “complete sun protection regimen” is recommended and sun-worshippers should be using sunscreen daily.
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