Harmful Burn Line Fad Sets off Alarm from La Roche-Posay and Experts
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The viral TikTok challenge known as "Burn Lines" or "Sunburn Tattoos" is causing concern among health experts and dermatologists worldwide. This trend, which involves deliberately using tape or stencils to create patterned sunburns or tan lines, is leading to harmful sunburns and increasing the risk of serious skin damage and skin cancer.
Key long-term risks associated with the "Burn Lines" challenge include:
- Increased risk of skin cancer: Dermatologists warn that even one sunburn significantly raises the chance of developing skin cancers such as melanoma later in life. Years of repeated unprotected sun exposure can cause cumulative damage, as shown in warning campaigns.
- Permanent skin damage: The sunburns from this challenge can cause lasting pigmentation changes, scarring, and skin aging, including wrinkles and loss of elasticity.
- Acute painful sunburns requiring medical treatment: The trend has resulted in some teens needing emergency care for severe burns, indicating short-term harm that can have chronic consequences.
French health authorities and dermatology brands, such as La Roche-Posay, have publicly condemned the trend and are actively campaigning against it to raise awareness about safe sun habits and the risks of deliberately causing burns for social media attention.
La Roche-Posay, a global leader in sun protection and skin cancer prevention, is taking a stand against the "Burn Lines" challenge. The company is worried about the long-term consequences of the trend and is joining forces with world-class dermatologists and leading health associations to educate on scientifically backed sun safety measures.
The company's sun safety measures include wearing a hat, clothes with sleeves, sunglasses, and applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF50+/UVA on uncovered body areas. La Roche-Posay is also offering resources like free mole checks and public education campaigns to promote early detection and prevention.
Contrary to popular perception, tan lines are a visible sign of skin damage. Participating in the "Burn Lines" or "Sunburn Tattoos" challenge promotes behaviors that could seriously harm skin health both immediately and over the long term, especially by increasing the risk of skin cancer and irreversible skin damage.
The TikTok challenge is gaining traction among teenagers and young adults worldwide. Veronique Del Marmol, President of Euromelanoma, warns that one blistering sunburn in childhood more than doubles the risk of skin cancer in adulthood. Jennifer Austin, CEO of GlobalSkin, emphasizes the need for clear, accessible, and compassionate public education due to the devastating impact of skin cancers and chronic sun damage.
La Roche-Posay will continue to advocate, with the medical community, towards authorities, policy makers, and trade associations to promote responsible sun behavior. The company will also amplify content on social media under #DermsAgainstBurns to create a positive movement around the critical importance of sun safe habits.
[1] La Roche-Posay press release, "La Roche-Posay condemns the 'Burn Lines' TikTok trend", 2021. [2] American Academy of Dermatology, "Skin Cancer Facts", 2021. [3] Skin Cancer Foundation, "Sun Safety Tips", 2021. [4] DermNet NZ, "Sunburn", 2021.
- Engaging in the "Burn Lines" TikTok challenge, which intentionally causes patterned sunburns, increases the risk of developing skin cancers such as melanoma later in life, as it significantly raises the risk of skin cancer according to dermatologists.
- Deliberately causing sunburns for a social media trend like "Burn Lines" can lead to permanent skin damage, including scarring, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity, in addition to the risk of irreversible skin aging and skin cancer.
