• Home
  • Archives
  • Contact Us
    • About
  • Reporters
  • Affiliates
  • Affiliate Support
  • Sports

Nebraska Radio Network

Nebraska News and Sports

  • Legislature & Government
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Agriculture
  • Husker Sports
  • All Topics
  • PostsComments
You are here: Home / Health & Medicine / Skin doctor says “sunburn art” fad can’t fade fast enough

Skin doctor says “sunburn art” fad can’t fade fast enough

August 12, 2015 By Matt Kelley

art3A summertime fad known as “sunburn art” is catching on with some Nebraskans and it’s gaining ground through social media.

People place stickers on their skin, go outside and intentionally get sunburned, then peel off the stickers and take selfies for Facebook to show off the contrasting red and white patterns on their skin.

Doctor Leslie Christenson, a dermatologist, calls the practice ridiculous.

“I think it’s very sad,” Dr. Christenson says. “We know that sunburns increase your risk of subsequent skin cancer. They advance aging and we can do so much to prevent skin cancer, so it’s hard for me to watch people promote it.”

Damage to the skin by the sun’s harmful rays can add up. Christenson says if you get five sunburns early in life, it can raise the risk of developing skin cancer later by 80%.

art1“We know that 1 in 5 Americans will develop a skin cancer in their lifetime,” she says. “One in 65 will develop a melanoma, which is the most agressive form of skin cancer. We can prevent a lot of these skin cancers by just protecting ourselves from the sun.”

Some “sunburn artists” use sunscreen in select locations to create the patterns while others may go so far as to cut out sections of their clothing.

The melanoma form of skin cancer can be fatal. Christenson isn’t recommending you stay inside, but use your head when you go out.

“We do strongly recommend that you wear sun screen, not expose yourself to sunburns, but actually wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, blocking UVA and UVB rays,” Christenson says. “Wear protective clothing and a hat but that you do enjoy being outside. Just be smart about it.”

 

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google

Filed Under: Health & Medicine, News

Ricketts, Erstad team up for “Live Well” initiative

Husker Spring Game tickets to go on sale February 6th

Husker women on the verge of a win streak

Huskers land walk-on commitment from Kearney QB

Huskers fall at Rutgers 76 to 69

More Big Red News

Featured Stories

Senator warns medical marijuana opponents: petition drive waits in the wings (AUDIO)

Attorney General cautions Nebraska against legalizing medical marijuana (AUDIO)

Legislative leaders see a lot to like in Gov. Ricketts’ proposals (AUDIO)

Gov. Ricketts reveals two-year spending plan, calls for property tax relief in State of the State address (AUDIO)

Turnover rate at Nebraska prisons drops (AUDIO)

TwitterFacebook

Husker Sports

Copeland suffers season-ending injury Saturday, ending his college career

Huskers Drop Third Straight, Falling to the Buckeyes 70-60

Ricketts, Erstad team up for “Live Well” initiative

Husker Spring Game tickets to go on sale February 6th

Husker women on the verge of a win streak

Get our news delivered to your inbox:

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Copyright © 2019 · Learfield News & Ag. LLC