Wellness trend "perineum sunning" - bizarre and dangerous

Alternative medicine is acupuncture, homeopathy, osteopathy and herbal medicine. But in addition to these well-known methods, there are hundreds of other methods, some of which are bizarre. I researched many of these and put their effectiveness to the test during my time as a professor of complementary medicine in Exeter, England. However, some methods are so crazy that one tends to doubt the common sense of the users. One of the most bizarre methods is the "perineum sunning" that has come into fashion for some time.

What is it all about? The perineum, often referred to as the perineum, is the small area between our anus and genitals, an area we don't routinely expose to the sun. The treatment is very simple and completely free of charge: When the sun is shining, you undress the lower half of your body and build yourself up so that the sun shines on the perineum. The supine position is probably the most discreet and therefore the most recommendable position. Despite the fact that it takes some getting used to, perineum sunbathing is not only 'en vogue' in certain circles - the procedure is even said to have a wide range of health benefits.

Because the motivation for the new wellness trend is not tanning. Who wants to be tanned at this point? Practitioners claim that the perineum is the "gateway through which energy enters and exits the body." Enthusiasts also claim that perineum tanning gives their bodies an intense dose of vitamin D and a significant energy boost. Others go even further.

Just like the self-proclaimed healer and influencer "Metaphysical Meagan". Her posts went viral on Instagram after she shared the "profound" benefits of the treatment. Among other things, she explained: "30 seconds of sunlight on your ass hole is equivalent to a whole day of sunlight with your clothes."

She then went on to add that perineum basking is "an ancient Taoist practice that's been around for a long time!" increases creative output” and supports “a healthy libido and balanced sexual energy”.

Sunning the dam, then, is an ancient Taoist practice. Sure, that makes sense: rituals and practices aimed at spiritually attuning oneself to the cosmic forces, undertaking ecstatic spiritual journeys, or improving physical health are all, in fact, important elements of Taoism. And if it has such a long and noble tradition, then it just has to be good, right?

Evidence for the claimed health benefits is obviously not required here. Fortunately, because there is no evidence that sunbathing the perineum could have any positive effects. Even the claim with the high vitamin D dose is wrong on closer inspection, if only because of the small area of ​​​​the area.

However, some critics have raised concerns about this. The perineum is highly sensitive and a sunburn there could be extremely painful, they warn - an objection I, as a medical professional, can only support. Sunlight can even lead to skin cancer. Since prolonged UV exposure can reduce immune system function, tanning the perineum could also increase the risk of infection with the herpes simplex virus or other pathogens. Furthermore, I fear that the avid perineum sunner will have to make some contortions to expose this part of the body to the sun - which undoubtedly carries the risk of lumbago or similar painful conditions.

But these are only theoretical considerations of the opponents of alternative medicine without any practical significance, proponents of the method might now say. Avengers actor and Hollywood star Josh Brolin disagrees; Sharing the following with his fans on Instagram, he said: "I've tried the perineum sunning I keep hearing about and I recommend NOT doing it as long as I've been doing it. My anus is totally burned and I wanted to spend the day shopping with my family but instead I have to ice it and use aloe and burn creams because the pain is so severe.”

And this example shows once again that many methods of "gentle" alternative medicine are not only ineffective. In the case of dubious practices promoted by influencers and celebrities, there are even real dangers. Whether it's from not getting real medical treatment - or a burned anus.

The UV radiation emitted by the sun can damage the skin in many ways. The most well-known consequence is sunburn, which resembles first- to second-degree burns. The cells of the epidermis are damaged and release messenger substances that lead to inflammation of the deeper dermis. The skin becomes red and warm to the touch; in severe cases, fluid can leak into the tissue and cause burn blisters.

The skin tries to protect itself when it is exposed to regular radiation – primarily by thickening the horny layer and increased pigmentation with melanin, which makes the skin appear brown. People with fair skin are particularly at risk for damage from UV radiation. Parts of the body, such as the perineum, which are normally very rarely exposed to the sun, burn much faster.

The long-term damage that UV radiation causes to the skin and the underlying tissue is particularly dangerous. UV radiation and, in particular, frequent sunburn are the most important environmental risk factors for black skin cancer (malignant melanoma). The malignant tumors originate in the pigment cells of the skin (melanocytes). If malignant melanomas are detected and removed too late, metastases form throughout the body and the chances of recovery are extremely poor.

About the author:

Edzard Ernst is considered one of the most influential scientists in the field of alternative medicine. Born in Wiesbaden in 1948, he studied medicine in Munich until 1978. After completing his studies, Ernst initially worked in a hospital specializing in homeopathy. In 1993 he was appointed as the first professor of complementary medicine in the English city of Exeter. After a public controversy and a run-in with Prince Charles, Ernst retired in 2011. He has published over 1000 scientific publications and over 50 books. For WELT, Edzard Ernst writes in no particular order with a wink about current or particularly unusual alternative medical procedures.