Essentially, tanning brings out character in the muscle groups, and by doing so, highlights the muscle definition. Basically the darker your skin the more defined your muscles look, giving the impression you are distinctly toned.
Scientifically, a tan/darker skin exaggerates contrast which emphasizes definition. This is what makes you look skinnier/more shredded and is why bodybuilders use it as well.
A tan skin tone is often considered attractive because it is associated with an active lifestyle, health, and vitality. Cultural influences, including media representation and advertising, contribute to this perception. Moreover, tanned skin can enhance contrast with lighter features, making it visually appealing.
Scientifically, a tan/darker skin exaggerates contrast which emphasizes definition. This is what makes you look skinnier/more shredded and is why bodybuilders use it as well.
Tanning does not directly contribute to weight loss. While some people may feel that a tan can make them look slimmer or more toned, this is purely a cosmetic effect and does not reflect any actual changes in body weight or composition.
Get Bronzed
For good reason. Spray tans make you and your gorgeous legs instantly slimmer - we think at least 5 kilograms lighter!). Spray tans are so fantastic they hide lumps and bumps (see you later cellulite!) making your legs appear lean and toned.
While sitting in the sun doesn't burn calories, there is some scientific evidence that exposure to sunlight may help your body burn more fat. For example, November 2017 research in Scientific Reports concluded that the sun's blue light wavelengths help shrink white fat cells located just beneath the skin's surface.
Accordingly, ratings were elicited for both the "untanned" (n = 6,228) and tanned (n = 8,988) versions of the photos. The authors analyzed the data in one of three ways, all of which yielded the same conclusion: tanned individuals were perceived as more attractive than their untanned versions.
Similarly in winter it's easy to start feeling like you've put on some weight, simply because your tan has faded and your skin is paler. So how does a tan make you look thinner? Not only does it cover any signs of cellulite or skin creases, but it also gives definition to areas that usually look slightly less defined.
The quantitative analysis of articles and advertisements published in the May, June, and July issues of Vogue and Harper's Bazaar magazines in the 1920s strongly suggests that a marked cultural shift favoring tanning occurred during the period 1927 to 1928.
Health Benefits
Several health benefit claims such as improved appearance, enhanced mood, and increased vitamin D levels have been attributed to tanning. Furthermore, the Indoor Tanning Association claims that “catching some rays may lengthen your life” [5].
Nearly half of participants said they felt more attractive with a tan. British women said that having tanned skin was more important to them than having a fresh hair colour, a manicure or a pedicure.
The allure lies in the release of endorphins, the body's natural feel-good chemicals triggered by exposure to UV rays. When you're basking under those warm lights, your brain gets a surge of these mood-enhancing chemicals, creating a euphoric sensation.
Shadowing Effect: Tanning creates shadows in the grooves among muscle tissues. These shadows provide a phantasm of depth, making the muscle tissues seem more stated and voluminous.
The tan's dark color helps highlight the separation between muscles and accentuates the contours, thus making them look as toned and defined as possible. It's like adding the perfect highlight to a work of art - the details suddenly pop, and the piece's beauty is magnified.
A Tan Evens Out Skin Tone
A tan can help to even out your complexion by minimizing the appearance of blemishes and creating a more uniform skin tone. When your skin is tanned, imperfections such as redness, blotchiness, or minor discolorations are less noticeable.
A tan can certainly help to camouflage cellulite if you have fair skin, but we don't recommend using sun exposure to darken your skin, since too much exposure to UV rays can weaken the fibers of the skin, making the cellulite look worse and causing other skin problems.
The professional indoor tanning industry promotes and teaches what we refer to as The Golden Rule of Smart Tanning: Don't ever sunburn. The indoor tanning industry has been more effective at teaching sunburn prevention than those who promote complete sun avoidance.
Scientists looking into attractiveness in men and woman suggest that men from all races find fairer-skinned woman most alluring, while women are the polar opposite and favour men with black hair and tanned skin.
Using poisonous whiteners to create pale skin has been popular throughout history – particularly during the ancient Greek, Roman and Elizabethan eras. The trend for whiteness halted after the industrial revolution.
Sun exposure can help you get vitamin D and boost your mood. It also might help lower your blood pressure and help you sleep better. But unprotected sun exposure is very damaging for your skin. Tanning can change your skin permanently.
Tanning Sessions Can Reduce Weight
Being exposed to sources of UV-light ensures that the metabolism in a person's body is increasing. This is done so by nudging the thyroid gland for being even more active. This increase in the metabolism more often than not reflects in a substantial weight loss for you.