Experts warn against new 'perineum sunning' trend on TikTok

Don't try this at home

After influencers began encouraging their followers to tan their genitals, experts have come forward to urge people to stop as it could have dire health consequences. Clips around "perineum sunning" have gone viral in recent weeks, sparking some pushback from experts and a lot of confused comments from fellow TikTok users. The trend sees people tan their bits in the hopes of increasing their vibrations and promoting energy and wellbeing. People usually lie on their backs with their legs in the air, though other users have taken to the trend through the downward dog yoga pose. Some practitioners report an increase in creativity and concentration, while others say it improves their sleep quality.

@jenn_dances4fun Perineum Sunning on Sunday #sundayfunday #perineum #vitamind #funfact #funfacts #sundays #poolday #badmom #coolmom #badmoms #fyppp #funnymom ♬ Perineum Sunning - Jenn_dances4fun

The trend has amassed over 2.4 million views, with thousands of users sharing videos of them perineum sunning in their back gardens. One video, which has since been viewed over 600,000 times, sees a woman crouched over her phone with her bum facing the sky. "I don't know if you guys have heard of perineum sunning but it's when you expose your butt hole to sunlight," she wrote in the caption. "30 seconds is equivalent to walking around in the sun with all your clothes on all day long. Vitamin D, soaking it up."

@paulylong Cant wait for all the skin cancer comments and dermatologist stitch vids ? #perineal #perinealsun #fyp #foryou #sun #sunning #sunlight #sunny #nosunscreen #sunbathing #sunbath #foryourpage #fypシ #controversial #skin #skincare #dermatologist #dermatology #doctor ♬ original sound - Pauly Long

Reacting to the video, one user wrote: "Vitamin D gummy bears are a lot better." Another video shows a couple lying next to each other with their legs in the air. "Think about it, why would you not sun the most vital area of your body?" they wrote on the captions. "The more you hide a body part from the sun, the weaker it will be." While the trend is certainly comical to watch, doctors have flocked to the popular video-sharing app to share their thoughts. "The claims made have absolutely no evidence to boosting anything. You don't need to sun that really sensitive area," said Dr Dustin Portela in his own video. "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."