Blinded By The Light? Women In Hong Kong Are Staring Directly Into The Sun To Lose Weight

A bizarre new weight-loss trend has gained traction in Hong Kong. Women there are attempting to suppress their appetites by staring into the sun, a technique known as "sun-eating," according to Chinese newspaper The Oriental Daily.

The women, who are all mostly in their 20s, skip dinner, and instead head to the beach every evening with face-protection gear to stare into the setting sun for almost an hour, soaking in "the energy of the sun." Someone should probably tell them that photosynthesis only works on plants.

"We practice sun-gazing as a substitute for eating. Some of us who have finished the therapy now eat less, and others don't have to eat at all," one participant in the strange ritual told The Oriental Daily.

Participating in the new fasting fad is a gradual process, sun-eaters say. They begin by staring into the sun for 10 seconds at a time, and gradually work their way up to 44 minutes by the end of nine months.

"Even if painted [sic] with sunscreen, they can only withstand five to six percent of the damage, an umbrella or cap can only take 10 to 20 percent, and long exposure, in addition to sunburn, will increase the risk of serious skin cancer," dermatologist Hou Xiang Jun said.