Experts are sounding the alarm after a new trend sees Gen Z are missing the memo when it comes to staying sun-safe.
For more, Aussie mum sounding the alarm Rachel Blease joins.
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Sunrise
Skin cancer survivor shares thoughts on alarming social media trend
If you come to this Monday morning, it seems Jen said maybe missing the memo on staying sun safe. A new trend sees young Australians intentionally seeking out tan lines as a fashion statement. Experts are sounding the alarm reminding everyone that there's no such thing as a safe tan. One Aussie mum has taken to social media to share her experience and is calling for urgent change. Safe talk trend burning yourself to get the tan lines. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Wear sunscreen. Wear a hat. This was me two months ago going through topical chemotherapy on a skin cancer on my head because I didn't protect my skin. And Rachel, please join us now live in Melbourne. Morning to you and you there with beautiful bub. Tell us how you felt when you saw this tan line trend, in particular the Haltonic. Apparently, girls are loving this. Yeah, unfortunately, I wasn't surprised. Social media often sets unhealthy beauty standards, particularly for young people. So that's why I wanted to get my video out there and raise awareness because two out of three Australians are diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime. I thought if I could put a face to the data, it might help a bit. How are you going with your skin cancer treatment? So I've finished the topical chemotherapy and now I have to wait six months to see if it worked and I still might have to get it surgically removed and have a big scar across the middle of my forehead. Can I ask Rachel when you were growing up? Were you a sun baker? I definitely had my time in the sun as a teenager. I would lay in the sun and I probably got more aware of sun safety in my early 20s. But obviously, that's too late. The damage has been done. Our skin has a very good memory. I was surprised to learn that a lot of teenagers these days are very aware of UV ratings. But sometimes checking UV ratings for better tanning, not to stay out of the sun. Is that something that you're aware of or are concerned about? Yes, I am aware of it and I am the opposite. I look at the UV rays to figure out how I'm going to protect myself and my daughter. Yeah. OK. She's sun safety with her hat though too. Look at that gorgeous. Yes, her little sun safety mascot. Yeah. I mean, it is just incredible with what we now know that this is still happy. I'm shocked because when we were growing up, you might have done it, but it was kind of by accident. You didn't really mean to. It might be because you were busy. Now this is an absolute intentional thing. Rachel, just before Christmas, I lost two people in my world to melanoma. Within the space of a couple of days, there's a young people. What is your message for anyone who is watching who thinks that you can get a tan and be safe? Skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers in Australia and every burn increases your chance of skin cancer. Since I've posted my video, I've had hundreds of people tell me about loved ones that they have lost through melanoma. So just protect your skin. No trend is worth your health. Yeah, I believe there needs to be a shift in messaging. I think we've lost a generation of people that are certainly sun-safe because every kid coming out of school has to wear their hat, no hat, no play, they know all that, but not realising that a tan is not healthy. Yeah, yeah. There's really good fake tans now. And congratulations, Rachel, to be able to get that beautiful baby of yours to just sit there. For the entire cross you've got some magic touch this morning. Miss Rachel. I've got it. Well done, good trick. Love you to talk to you. Thanks for helping us with that message as well. Thank you so much. [MUSIC PLAYING] [BLANK_AUDIO]