A fashion is once again racing on social networks: the “Sun Tattoo” or “Sun tattoos”. This practice is to create temporary patterns on the skin by applying sunscreen, then exposing the sun until you get a contrasting tan. An attitude which, of course, has considerable dangers.
The principle is simple: sunscreen is used like a stencil to protect certain areas of the skin while leaving other parts exposed to UV rays. After a few hours in the sun, the unprotected skin blushes – it’s the sunburn – creating a contrast to the protected areas which remain clear. The result? Temporary reasons that can last for several weeks.
“Each exposure to the sun without protection damages the DNA of your skin cells“, Recalls Dr. Michael Ioffreda, dermatologist at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center in the United States.”Your skin has a memory: damage accumulates over time. Ultimately, your body’s repair mechanisms can no longer follow and skin cancers may appear.”
These damage does not appear immediately. And this is the problem. Skin cancer can develop decades later. Some therefore do not take the full measure of the danger. Let us also recall that other side effects appear more quickly: wrinkles, spots …
Finally, the more sunburn we had during childhood and adolescence, the more we are likely to develop a melanoma. The position of dermatologists is clear: there is no exhaust exposure threshold without danger.
The fashion for sunburn tattoos can seduce by its creative and free side, but the price to pay in terms of skin health is also far too high.
How to protect yourself effectively
Only the application of a solar product (SPF 30 to 50) will guarantee optimal protection:
- Do it 15 to 30 minutes before exposure, in sufficient quantity;
- Do not forget the ears, the nape, the nose, the hands and the feet;
- Remember to put even in the case of a low cloud cover because it does not necessarily make UV dam.
- Use recent products, thinking of rebuilding them after use and placing them in the shade;
- Be sure to put back every 2 hours, even with a waterproof formula and systematically after swimming or in the case of very important perspiration;
- Continue to protect yourself even if the skin is tanned because the tan has no protective effect.
