Social media trend increases chances of Cancer in later life

Experts at Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust are warning the public against taking part in a dangerous new social media trend called ‘sunburning’ which could increase their chances of developing skin Cancer.

Social media influencers are encouraging people not to use sunscreen and instead expose their skin to the sun as a health boost or even intentionally burning their skin to ‘heal’ acne. Whilst there are health benefits associated with getting enough sunlight, sunscreen should still be used to help reduce your risk of developing skin cancer.

Queen Victoria Hospital sees around 700 patients a year from across Sussex, Surrey and Kent, with this number increasing year on year. The more episodes you have of being sunburnt throughout your lifetime, the greater your risk of developing skin Cancer, as well as your skin prematurely aging.

Although the hospital is yet to see any cases related to this new trend, the effects will last for many years meaning those who try it may well develop skin Cancer in years to come and need its specialist services. The impact of this trend could be far reaching.

Sam Orkar, Consultant Plastic Surgeon and Clinical Director of the hospital’s Plastics and Burns services, said: “Social media trends such as this not only pose an immediate danger but have the potential to cause lifelong health issues for those that follow them. Melanoma is the 5th most common type of Cancer and nationally numbers are on the increase. Please can we encourage everyone to be safe in the sun and look after your skin and remember there are safer ways to treat acne than putting yourself at risk through unprotected sun exposure.”

STOP PRESS: TikTok has confirmed that they have removed any videos which could contribute to the trend from their social platform (12 August 2024).

Pictured: Young woman sunbathing. Image by Bernd Hildebrandt from Pixabay

For more information please email the QVH Press Office at qvh.communications@nhs.net

Updated: 12 August 2024