What Parents Need to Know About the Viral Sunburn Tattoo Trend on TikTok

There's (another) viral trend going around on TikTok that might seem fun or even harmless at first glance, until you realize it involves getting sunburned on purpose.

It's called a sunburn tattoo, or sunscreen art, and it works like this: teens use stickers, tape, or shapes made with sunscreen to block part of the skin while tanning. After spending time in the sun, a design is "burned" into the skin. Think of it like a temporary tattoo, but created by skin damage instead of ink.

The look might get likes online, but the health risks behind it are real.

What's So Bad About a Sunburn Tattoo?

A sunburn isn't just a slight redness that fades in a day or two. It's your skin showing signs of injury, an actual burn caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. And the more sunburns a person gets, especially during childhood and teen years, the higher the risk of developing skin cancer later in life, specialists warn.

Even without a full-blown burn, tanning is generally your skin's way of trying to protect itself. It produces extra pigment (melanin) to reduce damage to your DNA. That "glow" many teens chase is actually a warning sign that their skin is under stress.

And the risks don't stop there. Early and repeated sun exposure can lead to premature wrinkles, uneven skin tone, dark spots, increased sensitivity, and long-term skin damage that's difficult to reverse.

Why Teens Are Drawn to the Trend

If your teen is into tanning, checks the UV index daily, or loves TikTok trends, they're not alone. Social media constantly feeds young people images of what's "cool," often without showing the consequences.

Teen brains are wired for instant gratification. They're focused on now: what looks good, what gets reactions, not necessarily what might happen years down the line.

That's why it's helpful to talk to them not just about scary health outcomes like cancer, but also about the visible effects they care about: early aging, uneven skin tone, and long-term changes that can impact their confidence.

How to Talk to Your Teen Without Pushing Them Away

If you find out your teen is trying the trend or thinking about it, try not to panic or come down too hard.

Instead, start the conversation from a place of curiosity:

"Hey, I saw this sunburn tattoo thing going around—have you heard about it?"
"What do you think about people doing that?"
"Can I share something I read about how sunburns affect the skin?"

If they've already tried it, stay calm. Use it as a teaching moment, and help them feel safe enough to come to you next time something concerning pops up online.

Also, talk to them about safer ways to get the same creative look—without frying their skin:

Spray tan stencils – Temporary designs made with spray tan instead of UV exposure. They wash off after a few days and don't harm the skin.
Body paint or metallic tattoos – Fun, eye-catching, and completely safe.
Temporary tattoos – Affordable, painless, and zero risk.

Keep the Whole Family Protected Online and Off

You can't control everything teens see or try, but you can give them the tools to stay safer.

As your teen starts to outgrow traditional parental controls, Bitdefender Family Plans offer the right balance of freedom and protection. One subscription covers the whole household, with features tailored to each age and stage.

Parents can take on the Organizer role to manage security settings and internet time, while teens can be assigned as Teen users, giving them privacy where it matters and protection where it counts.

Find out more about your family safety plan, here.