Sunburn To Get Rid Of Acne ? This Crazy Remedie Trending On TikTok Is Not Safe

Sunburn can lead to skin cancer in the long term. jacoblund/Getty Images

In the summer, it's natural to want blemish-free skin and a more tanned complexion. Recently, TikTok users have found a strange remedy to make acne disappear: sunburn. In concrete terms, they expose themselves to the sun for a long time in order to renew their skin, much to the dismay of health professionals.

It seems like sunburns just keep inspiring wackier and wackier beauty trends. The latest one is? Using UV rays to clear up acne and other skin blemishes.

The “sunburn” has become this summer's hottest, and perhaps most dangerous, beauty trend for achieving a near-perfect complexion. Instead of simply going for a light tan, some devotees are basking in the blazing sun for hours to achieve smooth, blemish-free skin.

An immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effect

Many videos of American influencers, like Haley Wenthold, showing off their intensive tanning sessions to eliminate their pimples, have gone viral on TikTok. Haley's video, for example, has racked up nearly 2 million views, showing her face exposed to UV rays in the hope of making her imperfections disappear.

But does the sun really have the power to make the skin clearer? According to a recent report by dermatology experts from Eucerin, UV rays have an "immunosuppressive" and therefore "anti-inflammatory". New York-based dermatologist Jennifer Chwalek explains in a Teen Vogue article: “Sunlight is made up of different wavelengths, and some of them can have anti-inflammatory effects on the skin, killing acne-causing bacteria.” She adds, according to the outlet, that “new evidence shows that vitamin D, which we get from sun exposure as well as certain foods, may play a role in oil production and pore health.”

Protection First

While this information may explain why the sun can temporarily improve the appearance of your skin, it doesn't mean you should follow this dangerous trend. In fact, Jennifer Chwalek points out that people who get sunburned are more likely to develop skin cancer and sun damage.

Jennifer A. Stein, a dermatologist at NYU Langone, points out in a New York Post article: “It's estimated that one in five people will develop skin cancer in their lifetime,”. She urges: “The best way to protect yourself from UV rays is to cover up. The more you cover your skin, the less sunscreen you'll need to protect yourself.”

Several trends of this kind had emerged on the network

This is not the first time that unusual trends related to the sun have invaded social networks. Recently, “heat stroke makeup”, which consists of imitating sunburn with blush, had won over makeup fans. Last year, it was “SPF contouring,” a technique that involves playing with the application of sunscreen to create sculpted areas on the face.

It’s important to remember that while some trends may seem appealing or effective in the short term, they can have serious health consequences. Rather than risk permanent damage to your skin, it’s best to consult a dermatologist for safe solutions that are tailored to your skin concerns.