It seems despite all the information about the damage it causes, overexposure to the sun is continuing to inspire some absurd and harmful beauty trends. The latest? Using UV rays to supposedly clear up acne and other skin imperfections. Getting a sunburn has become one of this season's hottest – and perhaps most dangerous – beauty trend as some influencers seek out perfect skin.
Instead of being content with a light, safe tan, some enthusiasts are basking in the scorching sun for hours on end in a bid to achieve smooth, blemish-free skin. Numerous videos of influencers showing off their intensive tanning sessions to get rid of their pimples have gone viral on TikTok. One such video, for example, has racked up nearly two million views, with the influencer showing her face exposed to UV rays in the hope of making her imperfections disappear.
Read more: Social media users are turning to DIY sunscreen, but experts caution against it But does the sun actually have the power to make skin clearer? According to a recent report by dermatology experts at Eucerin, UV rays do have an “immunosuppressive” and therefore an “anti-inflammatory” effect. New York-based dermatologist Jennifer Chwalek explains in an article for Teen Vogue : “Sunlight is composed of different wavelengths and some wavelengths can have anti-inflammatory effects on the skin and can suppress acne-causing bacteria.” She adds, according to the media outlet, that new evidence shows that vitamin D, which i.