Yes, you read that right: perineum sunning is one of the many “wellness trends” that have been gaining some traction among meditation-obsessed Instagrammers.
The perineum is the area that separates the anus and the vulva in women, or the anus and the scrotum in men.
How do you practice perineum sunning? Well, it’s simple: all you have to do is lie down naked in the sun, legs raised and spread apart, for anywhere between thirty seconds and five minutes, in order to expose the area to the rays of the sun.
The alleged benefits of perineum sunning
But why would you want to shine a light on an area where the sun usually doesn’t shine? According to its practitioners, this strange practice is supposedly inspired by a Taoist ritual, and is said to help you top up on vitamin D.
The first influencer to popularise perineum sunning, @ra_of_earth, declared in October 2020 in a video posted on Instagram, in which three men can be seen lying on their backs with their legs in the air, giving their intimate areas a sun bath: “In just thirty seconds of sun on your anus, you’ll receive more energy than in an entire day outdoors with your clothes on!”
Another Instagrammer, @metaphysicalmeagan, lists the many alleged benefits of perineum sunning. Among other things, a daily ray of sun on the anus would supposedly strengthen the organs, improve health, increase longevity, boost creativity, libido, intellect, and concentration, and regulate hormones and sleep cycles. No less!
Of course, these claims have no scientific basis.
(Heh, “basis”!)
Admittedly, reasonable sun exposure allows the body to synthesise vitamin D, which is essential for its proper functioning. However, doctors see no reason to specifically sun the perineum for this purpose.
Perineum sunning: a risky practice
On the contrary, according to several dermatologists interviewed by Healthline magazine, this practice could even prove dangerous. Indeed, the skin around the genital and anal areas is particularly fragile. First of all, there’s a good chance of getting a particularly painful sunburn.
But above all, perineum sunning could increase the likelihood of skin cancer in this area.
People who are infected with genital human papillomavirus (HPV) are at the highest risk and must at all costs avoid exposing their intimate areas to the sun. People with fair skin and those with a family history of skin cancer are also at higher risk than average.
However, more generally, this practice is not recommended for anyone. Much like the vulva steaming or yoni eggs recommended by Gwyneth Paltrow, it’s pseudo-scientific bullshit that could harm your health.
That said, if for some obscure reason you absolutely insist on showing the sun your trilili, doctors recommend applying sunscreen and avoiding doing so between ten in the morning and two in the afternoon.
