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.
Mr Dirschka says that severe sunburn can often lead to genetic mutations, which makes it difficult for the skin to react to tumours and increases the risk of skin cancer.
