Skin Experts Warn Against New Tiktok Trend That Encourages People To Tan Their Privates

Influencers are encouraging individuals to sun their genitals in TikTok videos, but doctors warn that it might have negative health consequences.

The video about 'perineum sunning' are gaining millions of views on social media, but specialists advise against it and warn that it might be damaging to one's health.

TikTok

By exposing one's nether regions to the light, the controversial health technique is supposed to raise one's vibrations.

People may be nude on their backs, legs spread wide in the air, or performing nimble yoga positions like downward dogs.

TikTok

They think that exposing this part of the body, which is generally hidden from view to sunlight will give them an energy boost and help them sleep and focus better.

Others claim it can also spark their creativity.

Watch an expert explain why this may not be the best idea below:

However, after attempting the practice, celebrities such as Josh Brolin discovered that being sunburned in those delicate spots may be quite unpleasant.

The hashtag #perineumsunning has received over 2.4 million views, and although some films parody the habit, others take it more seriously.

A woman hunched over her phone, pointing her bum to the sky, is shown in one video with over 600,000 views.

In the clip she says: “I don’t know if you guys have heard of perineum sunning but it’s when you expose your butt hole to sunlight.

"30 seconds is equivalent to walking around in the sun with all your clothes on all day long. Vitamin D, soaking it up.”

TikTok users commenting on the video weren’t convinced with many cracking up at what the woman’s neighbors must think.                       

Someone else said: “Vitamin D gummy bears are a lot better.”

And another joked: “So much for ‘where the sun don’t shine’.”

Another influencer also posted a clip of himself and a woman lying naked on their backs, legs in the air, with the words: “Think about it, why would you not sun the most vital area of your body?”

Later adding: “The more you hide a body part from the sun, the weaker it will be.”

He later released another video in which he stated that the sun is for healing.

Dr. Dustin Portela responded to the trend with his own TikTok video.

In his clip he said: “The claims made have absolutely no evidence to boosting anything. You don’t need to sun that really sensitive area.

“We’ve evolved to walk upright where this area literally doesn’t get sun so you shouldn’t be turning it up towards the fireball in the sky in order to expose it.

“I’ve removed skin cancers from people from around the anus, vulva and on the penis. You don’t want cancer in that area and putting sun on that area you’re highly likely to get burned and that will increase your risk of skin cancer and then somebody like me is going to have to stick a needle in there, start cutting away and perform reconstructive surgery and put things back together….

“I’m telling you don’t do perineum sunning, it’s a stupid idea.”

Dr Diana Gall from Doctor-4-U also agreed and told Insider: “Practicing mindfulness and meditation, and getting your dose of Vitamin D, is beneficial for mental and physical health, but you don’t need to damage your skin in the process from sun exposure.”

Dr Stephanie Ooi from MyHealthcare Clinic also added: "This is a classic example of social media medical misinformation which in some cases can be damaging or dangerous."