Personal Health

People Are Exposing Their Buttholes to the Sun for This New 'Wellness' Trend—and It's Not OK

From sitting over a pot of boiling water to steam the vagina, to sticking jade eggs you-know-where, “wellness” trends involving the genitals don’t seem to want to die. Now, there’s another one to add to that list: “perineum sunning.”

Yes, you heard that right. In recent months, the new “self-care” method—aka “butthole sunning”—has started to gain momentum, mostly thanks to a few social media influencers whose photos and videos have gone viral.

Apparently, an Instagram video by user @ra_of_earth came first in October, showing three completely nude men lying down on their backs, butts to the sky, to soak up some rays.

“In a mere 30 seconds of sunlight on your butthole, you will receive more energy from this electric node than you would in an entire day being outside with your clothes on,” he said in the video.

Then came another backside sun worshipper, @metaphysicalmeagen, who shared a photo of herself perineum sunning later in October.

“Perineum sunning is an ancient Taoist practice that originated in the Far East,” she wrote in the Instagram post, explaining that in the religion, the perineum (or Hui Yin) is called the “Gate of Life and Death” and “is a gateway where energy enters & exits the body.”

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☀️Perineum Sunning PART 2☀️ ?I was recently interviewed for an article on this, so I thought I’d share more: Perineum sunning is an ancient Taoist practice that originated in the Far East. In Taoism, the perenium or Hui Yin is called the “Gate of Life and Death.” This is a gateway where energy enters & exits the body. I first learned about perineum sunning through my studies of Taoism and Tantric practices. Mantak Chia speaks about this in his work, as does my friend @ra_of_earth . ?The benefits of perineum sunning include: ? •It brings in prana or solar energy from the sun into the organs within the body which strengthens the organs. ? •Perineum sunning prevents against the leakage of chi or life force energy from the body. This in turn sustains health & longevity of the physical body. •Increases creativity and creative output. •Aids in a healthy libido & balanced sexual energy. •30 seconds of sunlight on the perineum is equivalent to being in the sun all day with your clothes on. •It regulates the circadian rhythm and promotes deeper sleep. •Grounds and connects you to the Earth. •Increases your personal magnetism and amplifies the auric field. •Better focus & mental stimulation. •Regulates hormone function in the sex organs. ⚡️ ?My experience with perineum sunning has been profound. I have been practicing this for a few months now. I start my day with 5 minutes of perineum sunning & feel energized for hours. I no longer rely on coffee for energy to start my day because I am getting my energy from the sun. I also am experiencing better sleep and require less sleep due to boost of overall energy. • ?I would highly recommend this to anyone who is seeking optimal health & wellness and to those looking to connect with their sexual energy in a balanced way. • ?The main advice I have that this practice is meant to be done in the time of 30 seconds to 5 minutes MAX in the sun. ? •‼️‼️THE INTENTION OF THIS IS NOT TO TAN YOUR BUTTHOLE‼️‼️ • ? Sunscreen is not required & all you really need is 30 seconds of sun exposure. The ideal hours of the day to do this are between 7-9 am. #ButtholeSunning #SexualHealing #TaoistPractices

A post shared by ? ? Metaphysical Meagan ? ? (@metaphysicalmeagan) on

According to Meagan, the benefits of perineum sunning are extensive. She says it “strengthens the organs,” “sustains health & longevity,” “aids in a healthy libido & balanced sexual energy,” and can promote “better sleep,” among other things.

“My experience with perineum sunning has been profound,” she claims. “I have been practicing this for a few months now. I start my day with 5 minutes of perineum sunning & feel energized for hours. I no longer rely on coffee for energy to start my day because I am getting my energy from the sun. I also am experiencing better sleep and require less sleep due to boost of overall energy.”

Um, “perineum sunning” can’t be safe…right?

So, just a super-quick clarification: Your perineum is the super-thin area of skin and tissue between your vagina (or, in men, the penis) and the anus—and no, you definitely shouldn’t be exposing it to sun light, according to those with actual medical degrees.

“As a dermatologist, I cannot recommend any sun exposure without sun protection,” Nazanin Saedi, MD, Director, Jefferson Laser Surgery and Cosmetic Dermatology Center, tells Health.com. “These areas just like other areas of the body do need sun protection and clothing tends to provide that.”

David E. Bank, MD, founder of Mount Kisco's The Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic & Laser Surgery, takes it a step further: “It’s actually dangerous,” he explains. “This skin is particularly sensitive.” Over time, it could result in an increased risk of skin cancer, he adds.

Both physicians point out that there is no scientific evidence to support this behavior promotes and sort of wellbeing—which can be attained through other safer options like “relaxing, meditation, and mindfulness,” says Dr. Saedi.

And if you’re truly worried about your vitamin D intake, you may want to consider taking a vitamin—not totally exposing yourself to the sun. "The recommended amount of vitamin D is easy to get from a healthy diet or supplements," Anna Karp, DO, a dermatologist at NYU Langone Health, tells Health.

Overall though, definitely keep your bottoms on when you’re out in the sun—for your sake, and honestly, the sake of others.

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