(MENAFN – Conversation) If you’re keeping up with wellness trends, you may have heard of something called “sunbathing the perineum.”
If not, just how it sounds. It involves going untrained outside – at least in the lower half – and setting yourself up in a way that briefly exposes your perineum to the sun.
The perineum is the area between the genitals and the anus – that is, between the anus and the vulva in women, and between the anus and the scrotum in men. It is not the part of our body that usually sees the light of day.
Although proponents of this trend talk about all sorts of benefits, there is no evidence for that. It may not harm you – or you could handle a nasty burn.
Where did the idea come from?
Sunbathing on the perineum is said to have its roots in ancient Taoist practice, where the perineum, or ‘Hui Yin’, is considered to be the entrance into which energy enters and leaves the body.
This is probably related to the idea that the sun has healing powers. Many years ago, sun exposure was recommended after childbirth, and sun lamps were used in work wards to ostensibly aid in healing. But there was no evidence for that.
Part of the appeal of the trend may also lie in the fact that many pale-skinned people like to be tanned.
In this regard, sunbathing is not a motivation for the wellness trend of sunbathing on the perineum. People who do this say that it gives their body an intense dose of vitamin D, and thus a significant energy boost.
It can also reportedly increase creativity, improve sleep, and even promote healthy libido, among other recorded benefits.
Read more: Your vagina cleans itself: why fashionable vaginal cleansing procedures are unnecessary and harmful
But there is no evidence to support any of these alleged benefits. Although to date there have been no scientific studies on the perineum sunflower, I would be very surprised if any future research reveals any significant benefits.
However, we cannot rule out a placebo effect. For example, if someone thinks sunbathing their perineum will improve their libido, they probably will.
Is it safe?
The main risk of sunburn of the perineum is sunburn. Sun-exposed skin adapts to exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light creating melanin, a natural protective pigment in the skin that reduces the risk of sunburn. So, when you get UV light on a part of the skin that is not used to sun exposure, you are much more likely to get sunburned.
If you burn yourself in this sensitive area, it will probably hurt a lot. You won’t be able to have sex for about a week, and you might be stung by urinating.
And of course, UV is a known carcinogen, which is why we discourage any tan today. Sunburn can increase the risk of skin cancer, and chronic exposure to UV radiation can increase the risk of skin cancer even without causing sunburn.
Read more: Explanation: What happens to your skin when you get sunburned?
You would have to do a lot of sunbathing on your perineum to get skin cancer from it. However, there are other potential carcinogens that affect the area, such as human papillomavirus (HPV) oncogenic genotypes. In general, the more carcinogens you are exposed to, the higher the risk.
If you carry another possible carcinogen like HPV – statistics suggest that HPV is present in up to 70% of sexually active people (although that doesn’t mean everyone has oncogenic types, which can cause cancer) – it could theoretically increase the risk of sunburn. perineum.
So, what’s the message to take home?
If you try to sunbathe the perineum for a few minutes, oddly, it’s probably not dangerous. And there’s nothing to say that you can’t put sunscreen on your perineum if you want to be safer about it.
When it comes to following radical health claims, there are worse things you could do, like drinking bleach or buying one of Pete Evans ” BioCharger ” machines.
But still, I would not recommend sunbathing on the perineum. I think it is of no use and carries some degree of risk.
If you want to feel more energetic, you can try a lot of other tactics. Make sure you get enough sleep, exercise regularly, eat healthy foods, avoid smoking, limit recreational drugs, moderate your alcohol intake, and stay away from the sun. These things are about wellness, if you look at it from a science perspective.
At the end of the day, there is no magic way to boost energy. And sticking the perineum in the sun won’t be the answer.
Read more: Sun damage and cancer: how UV radiation affects our skin
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