Idiots are selectively applying sunscreen "for the art"

As the sunny weather turns out for our northern hemisphere neighbours, a horrible new fashion fad has emerged among beachgoers that we're praying will die off by the time summer rolls around in the south.

"Sunburn art" is having a moment. The concept that once revolved around drawing penises on your unsuspecting mate's back while they enjoyed a beach snooze has evolved into a virtual sunburn beauty contest, and believe us when we say it's a cringe-fest. 

https://twitter.com/nicci7847/status/499813569056505856

There's a new breed of moron among us that uses the sun's scorching UV rays to "paint" their skin with pretty, geometric shapes and designs, sometimes in strikingly intricate detail.

Newsflash: it's called a tan line, and it still looks ridiculous.

https://twitter.com/Sierra2500HDGrl/status/480799483085590528

Australia has always taken a tough stance on sun protection — and with good reason, our incidence of skin cancer is one of the highest in the world, two to three times the rates in the US, UK and Canada.

https://www.facebook.com/AlchileYucatan/photos/a.189928314431859.45090.182353155189375/848821738542510/?type=1

Vanessa Rock, Skin Cancer Prevention Manager at Cancer Council NSW told ninemsn COACH "sunburn art" is not a trend the Cancer Council would want to see young Australians taking up any time soon. 

"The fact that people are deliberately… burning or tanning by strategically placing sunscreen in certain areas to create art is very concerning," Rock said. 

"Sunburn is one of the main risk factors for melanoma, which is not only the most serious form of skin cancer - it can be fatal if not detected and treated early - but also one of the most common cancers in young Australians."

https://twitter.com/ZenBodyArt/status/615001697744748544 

In the short term, this level of skin exposure is likely to cause inflammation, blisters, redness, swelling, pain and ultraviolet DNA damage. 

In the long term, these human canvases can look forward to additional wrinkles, sun spots, possible melanomas and an increased risk of developing some form of skin cancer. But hey, on the bright side at least you can be pink Batman or Superman for a day. Yay?

https://twitter.com/CambioDigital/status/615542982725349376

https://www.facebook.com/AlchileYucatan/photos/a.189928314431859.45090.182353155189375/848821708542513/?type=1

And oh, look – this genius has creatively combined the former No.1 horrible trend frangipani stickers and sunburn to create her own ugly wearable creation.

https://twitter.com/diggita/status/614876375669800960