Purposely burning skin can have disastrous consequences
As the peak of summer arrives many people are having fun in the sun by going to the beach, lounging by the pool and attending outdoor sporting events.
While many of these activities can provide a fun and safe way to enjoy the season, there is what health officials are calling a dangerous trend that has become popular on social media.
It is called “Sunburn Art,” and it is achieved by taking sunscreen or stickers and applying it to the skin in a pattern and allowing the remaining skin to burn. The design is then left behind, almost like a temporary tattoo.
Dermatologist Dr. Amy Norton of Mountain State Medical Specialties Inc. Uniontown office says there is nothing temporary about the damage this causes.
“We know that sunburns cause DNA damage to our skin cells, and it accelerates aging and increases your lifetime skin cancer risk. If you have five or more sunburns by the time you are 18, it increases your risk of melanoma, the deadly skin cancer, by 80 percent,” she said. “These people that are doing these things that are temporary can cause damage. You are doing bad things to your skin for something that is temporary.”
In addition to people doing sunburn art for their social media followers, James Titterton, originally from London, decided to take this form of expression to the next level.
“The idea came while I was studying BA (Hons) graphic design at Kingston University, London. We were briefed to produce a photographic response to the book ‘Whatever You Think, Think the Opposite’ by Paul Arden. There’s a page in the book that says, ‘Your body can be what you want it to be.’ It got me thinking about how we become defined as things through our work and jobs, and that our body could be other things. I thought about how light affects skin like photographic paper, and thought it would be cool to turn myself into a photograph,” he said.
After launching a website asking for people to submit proposals of what design Titterton should cover his body with, he began the long process of creating his art.
“I got the design cut onto black adhesive vinyl, and approached a local tanning salon to use their machines. I assembled a willing gang of volunteers to help put the stickers on (which took one hour each time), to document the process (film) and photography, and went to the salon eight times to develop the image,” he explained.
Unlike the recent trend of burning the skin, Titterton was very careful to only tan the skin and prevent actual burning.
“I didn’t get burnt at all, and managed the process from start to finish to ensure I didn’t overdo it,” he said. “I wouldn’t say I was concerned about my health, but I did make sure I covered all my bases and made it as safe as possible. I also consulted my GP (general practitioner) who checked any moles I had and said I should be fine as the amount of time I was spending in there (the tanning bed) was relatively low-risk.”
Unlike Titterton who was carefully watched while he created his “human photograph,” others are letting the skin burn which can cause disastrous consequences, such as blistering skin, if it is taken too far.
“I think in particular the larger blisters that are fluid-filled can open up and drain. You might need a prescription type of ointment for the inflammation,” said Norton. “Sunburn is an inflammation. Anything like Aleve, ibuprofen, even aspirin, that are anti-inflammatory, can help reduce that inflammation.”
In addition to the blistering, people who have extreme sunburn can have what is commonly known as sun poisoning.
“There is what people refer to as sun poisoning. If you get a sunburn on a significant part of your body you can feel sick and get a fever,” said Norton. “I have seen people who have maybe fallen asleep outside and they have been quite sick from it. You can feel dehydrated and become physically ill.”
Norton urges anyone who has significant burns or feels sick after being in the sun too long to see their doctor to receive proper care. Those with a light burn can soothe the skin by applying a moisturizer that is fragrance free to avoid further irritating the skin.
But, the best way to deal with sunburns is to not have one.
“I wish they (people) would realize the damage they are doing to their skin and how easily a sunburn can happen,” said Norton. “If you think about it on a cloudy day throw on some sunscreen, even if it is just your face. I have seen a lot of people with disfiguring skin cancers, and it is sunburn that has caused this damage. You are doing something to your skin that will resurface in the form of skin cancer.”