“Burn lines”, or burn to sunbathe: a tiktok trend that worries dermatologists

THE “burn lines», A Tiktok trend that encourages young women to let their skin burns to get tanning marks, worries dermatologists, while it greatly increases the risk of skin cancer.

“I did not put sunscreen. Consequently, I caught a huge sunburn, but at least, I have tanning marks,” we can read on many publications mainly made by young women on the social network.

Dermatologist specializing in skin cancer at the Quebec CHU. However, the D^r Joël Claveau, however, sounds the alarm because the risk of developing melanoma, a very serious and potentially fatal form of skin cancer, is increased tenfold.

“It is to be strongly not recommended. For example, Sunbody at young sun is the worst because skin cancer is like cigarettes. we accumulate damage over the years and, thereafter, it is like a lottery, “explains “burn lines”, burn sunbathe: tiktok the expert.

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Photo credit: screenshot from Tiktok

“In this case, the trend mainly affects young women from 15 to 30 years old, and it is demonstrated epidemiologically that these sunburn there, at that age, are the worst to develop cancer at 40 or 50,” he continued.

Increasing. even if it is avoidable

Since 1994, the rate of incidence of melanoma has increased 2% per year, which represents the second general increase in importance of impact in women, according to what the Canadian dermatology association reports.

According to the Canadian Cancer Society. the number of new cases in women in Canada was estimated at 4,800 cases “burn lines”, burn sunbathe: tiktok in 2024, a significant part of which concerned young women.

However. this is not the only dangerous trend in this style, while many suggest to cover themselves with olive oil in order to burn more, or to make “sun tattoos», Either tattoos made by sunburn.

“You have to be wary of the trends you can see on social networks because it can become dangerous. Last year. influencers recommended not to put sunscreen saying that it is harmful to the skin, when it is very well demonstrated that it is false. “

Not very seller

The experience dermatologist explains. however, that it is not very seller to talk about cancer with young people who do not really feel concerned.

“Rather. you have to talk to them about premature aging of the skin to convince them to be careful or tell them that, if they do this to be beautiful or beautiful, “burn lines”, burn sunbathe: tiktok it will not be paid in the long term.”

He also wanted to recall that the goal is not to establish a climate of fear. but rather to raise awareness of the dangers that sunburns can cause.

“We don’t tell people not to go out, on the contrary, we only say to be careful. We put sunscreen in the morning. before going out, and during the day, but the goal is not to prevent people from living, “he concluded.