Skin care experts in the United States warn the public against the potential health risks associated with a growing summer fad known as sunburn art.
People have started using sunscreen to draw shapes and designs on their body before exposing themselves to the sun. Their goal is to use the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays to cause severe sunburn on their skin that follows the designs they have placed earlier.
Dermatologists have urged people not to engage in this practice as it increases the risk for melanoma and cause the skin to age faster.
Dr. Deborah S. Sarnoff, senior vice president of the Skin Cancer Foundation, has issued a public advisory regarding the adverse effects of sunburn art on behalf of the group.
According to the organization's statement, sunburns not only damage the skin severely but they also increase the chance for a person to develop skin cancer exponentially. The group pointed out that exposing oneself to five or more sunburns in youth can already raise melanoma risk by as much as 80 percent.
The Skin Cancer Foundation encourages people to adopt a complete regimen for sun protection in order to avoid too much exposure to the sun. This includes applying sunscreen daily, seeking shade and wearing articles of clothing that can protect the eyes and skin from UV rays such as broad-brimmed hats and sunglasses.
Doctors recommend using sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 for people who prefer spending time outdoors. They should reapply sunscreen on their skin every time they sweat or get out of the water.
"You don't need to have SPF 100," Dr. Christopher Obeime of Indiana's St. Vincent Health said. "If you apply 30 SPF and you apply it correctly with reapplication as needed."
"I think you are doing just as good of a job as if you are applying 100 SP."
Dermatologists advise against choosing spray on sunscreen as these do not offer enough coverage on the skin as much as the cream version.
A report by the American Cancer Society estimated that around 73,000 additional cases of invasive melanoma are expected to be diagnosed in the U.S. this year, leading to 10,000 deaths.
While melanoma is considered one of the rarest forms of skin cancer, accounting to less than two percent of known cases, it has caused the most number of deaths.
