Tanning the genital area: what is this new dangerous trend?

As its name suggests, it consists of exposing the intimate parts directly to the sun’s rays to tan them. This practice was launched on social media in 2019 by an American influencer named Meagan WHITSON. She explains that tanning the intimate areas for 30 seconds to five minutes every day would bring health benefits and help with the synthesis of vitamin D.

The "perineum sunning" or "butthole sunning" then spread across the Internet through astonishing photographs showing people lying on their backs with both legs raised to expose their genitalia to the sun. They subsequently attributed various benefits to this practice, such as improved sleep, an energy boost and increased creativity and libido.

However, this trend is strongly discouraged by all healthcare professionals, who associate it with numerous risks.

No study has demonstrated any benefits of tanning intimate areas, and no scientific data suggests that such benefits exist.

On the contrary, exposure of the body's delicate parts to UV rays is not without risk. Depending on their wavelength, they penetrate the epidermis or dermis to generate free radicals in excess. These then attack cell membranes and proteins, weakening them. Free radicals also react with DNA and can cause genetic mutations potentially leading to melanomas and cancers. Furthermore, this exposure can result in sunburn of the genital area, which is particularly painful and carries a risk of complications.

In fact, the skin in the intimate areas is not at all prepared for sun exposure, as it is normally never exposed and therefore synthesises very little melanin. Let us recall that although this brown pigment provides an aesthetic tan, its primary role is to protect the skin and the body. Exposing the genital region to UV rays can thus lead to long-term damage, as it is naturally less protected. Furthermore, the pain caused by sunburn and the skin dryness following exposure would be particularly intense in these areas.

One must begin by asking the right questions before embarking on this practice. These body parts are particularly delicate and sensitive. Is it therefore reasonable to expose them to UV rays? Moreover, we have just seen that no scientific study has been able to demonstrate the purported benefits of this practice. On the contrary, all dermatologists agree that they present numerous risks and should not be undertaken lightly.

Moreover, the American influencer who started the trend of genital tanning claims that it is unnecessary to apply sunscreen to this area. However, all scientists agree on this point: the application of a sunscreen is essential before any exposure. This product works on the surface of the epidermis, forming a protective filter against UVA and UVB rays. Regarding intimate areas, sunscreen should only be applied to external zones and must not be used inside the vagina or come into contact with its internal walls, as doing so could cause an infection.

As for the link between perineum sunning and vitamin D, the latter is synthesised irrespective of the area exposed. It is therefore preferable that the area be one better prepared to receive UV rays and, above all, previously protected with sunscreen. It should also be noted that vitamin D is found in certain foods, notably fatty fish such as cod liver oil, herring, sardines and mackerel. Finally, in the event of a deficiency, your GP can prescribe vitamin D in capsule or powder form.

To conclude, here is our perspective on genital tanning: it is advisable to avoid this potentially hazardous practice.

• BHUSHAN R. & al. Adverse effects of ultraviolet radiation from the use of indoor tanning equipment: Time to ban the tan. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2011).

• WOLF P. & al. Sunbeds and carcinogenesis: The need for new regulations and restrictions in Europe from the Euromelanoma perspective. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (2019).