Dangerous tan: young people burn for traces on Tiktok

Incantly causing sunburn on his skin is the new – dangerous – that appeared on Tiktok in recent weeks. Called “Burn Lines”, this trend consists in applying self -tanning oil, which does not protect the skin, or even do nothing at all, to have traces of visible tanning. But it is rather burns and red skin that appear. Young people, especially young girls, film themselves for the social network with a certain pride. “When I am burned, but I have traces of tanning,” says one of them. “Some do not seek to burn themselves on purpose, but they minimize the dangers of the sun,” reacts Mélanie Hilgers, dermatologist in Marnach.

Dangers that are not to be taken lightly. Many even go so far as to use lighters or hair dryers to burn … short and long-term consequences are to be expected: burns, blisters, inflammation, but also much more serious effects in the future, in addition to premature aging of the skin, the development of cancer is one of the biggest risks. “Studies show that unprotected exposure, causing sunburn before 18, increases the risk of cancer,” said the specialist who has already received several patients whose children had sunburn.

As in the past, tanning is always trendy, synonymous with vacation, compliments when you return from leave. But beware: “Any coloring by the sun is actually a mechanism for defense of the skin”, assures the dermatologist. A nice tanned complexion, but at the expense of health therefore. “The tan lasts only lasts a few days while the damage remains and sometimes declare themselves 10 or 20 years later, with the appearance of melanomas or carcinomas …”

According to the latest data available on skin cancers in Luxembourg, clever melanoma (most aggressive skin cancer) represents around 5 to 6% of new cancer cases in the country.