At Muttleymelanoma, my mission has always been simple:
To help people live well, stay informed, and reduce their risk of melanoma.
Recently, a so-called wellness trend has been circulating online called “perineum sunning.”
Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like — people deliberately exposing the area between the genitals and anus to direct sunlight in the belief that it boosts health.
Let’s be absolutely clear:
This is not a health practice. It is a myth — and a potentially harmful one.
☀️ What Are People Claiming?
Social media posts suggest that exposing this very sensitive area to the sun can:
Increase energy levels Improve mood Balance hormones or boost testosterone Help with sleep cycles Absorb more vitamin D
These claims may sound appealing. They are also completely unsupported by medical science.
🔬 The Science (The Real Kind)
Your body does not absorb vitamin D more efficiently through one specific body part.
Vitamin D is produced when any exposed skin receives UVB radiation. The perineum has no special properties. It is simply an area that is normally protected — for very good biological reasons.
There is zero clinical evidence that sunning this area provides any unique benefit.
⚠️ The Very Real Risks
Unlike your arms or face, the skin in this region is:
Extremely thin Highly sensitive Rarely exposed to sunlight Lacking natural protective adaptation
That makes it far more vulnerable to:
- Severe sunburn
- Inflammation and blistering
- Long-term UV damage
- Increased skin-cancer risk
And remember — UV damage is cumulative.
Your skin doesn’t care whether exposure happens on a beach, a mountain, or in your back garden following an internet trend.
💛 Why This Matters So Much
As someone who has lived through melanoma, I know first-hand that skin cancer is not a trivial condition. It is not caused by one dramatic burn, but by years of repeated UV exposure and DNA damage.
There is no such thing as “safe” sunning of unprotected skin.
Trends like this normalise the idea that sunlight is a therapy rather than something that must be respected and managed.
✅ If You Want the Benefits of Sunlight — Do It Safely
Healthy light exposure is about balance, not risk-taking:
Get short, sensible exposure to daylight — not prolonged sunbathing Protect skin with clothing, hats, and sunscreen Avoid peak UV hours Consider dietary vitamin D if advised by your doctor Never deliberately expose sensitive areas of the body
🌍 One Life… Love It… Live It.
Living well doesn’t mean following every trend.
It means making informed choices that protect your future.
Your skin is with you for life. Look after it.
Let’s keep challenging misinformation, raising awareness, and helping others avoid the journey that so many melanoma patients have had to walk.
Stay safe. Stay sun-smart. And keep living fully — the right way.
