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.
By the 1920s, however, a cultural transformation took place, and tan skin became the ideal.
In American culture, tanned skin is often associated with a healthy, active lifestyle and leisure activities. This preference can be traced to cultural trends and media portrayals that equate tan skin with fitness and vitality.
In 2023, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) surveyed more than 1,000 adults in the U.S. and found that 71 percent of Gen Z adults (between the ages of 18 and 25) are unfamiliar with the risks of sunburn, with 59 percent of them believing tanning is “healthy” and that a “base tan” can prevent sunburn.
We investigate the impact a sun-kissed glow has on your mood, confidence and attractiveness. A survey by Imedeen revealed that 57 percent of women found that having a tan made them look more 'attractive', 'slimmer' and feel more confident within themselves.
In the Western world (for the past century or so), acquiring a tan has often appealed to those with the palest skin, who may have been teased for looking “pasty” and wanted to appear healthier and wealthier. (Ironically, this is the skin type most at risk for developing skin cancer.)
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.
Skincare experts warn that getting Botox or using anti-aging creams too early can cause unwanted side effects and that vaping and e-cigarettes, which Gen-Zers gravitate toward, can also cause premature aging.
Sometime in the '70s and early '80s, having a tan suddenly became the trend and was linked to healthy skin and lifestyle, for example, being outdoors, going to the beach and being adventurous. Having a tan also meant you became more desirable and were likened to being from a foreign country.
Like Millennial Pink, Gen Z colors favor the eye-popping Cyber Lime (forecasted to be big in 2024) and Digital Lavender, also aligned with inclusivity. “[Cyber Lime] can speak to all, which Gen Z is very sensitive to,” said Guilbert.
Of course, Kardashian has spoken about how she suffers from psoriasis, a skin condition that causes flaky patches of skin, so it's very possible she uses her tanning bed in a bid to help with her symptoms rather than solely to bronze herself (especially as the red light therapy bed placed next to it can ease psoriasis) ...
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.
Asians in general have more melanin and more numerous melanocytes in the skin compared to Caucasian skin. Even fair-skinned Asians have more melanocytes than most Caucasians. These pigment-producing cells or melanocytes in Asians tend to be more sensitive to ultraviolet light (UV), such as the sun and tanning booths.
Before the general public began to understand the health dangers of sunlight overexposure, a fair number of white Americans devoted much time and effort to acquiring a “perfect tan.” The suntan craze began in the mid-1920s, as outdoor recreation became more popular among middle-class Americans.
Historically, having fair skin was an indicator of higher social status, as individuals engaged in manual labor often had darker complexions from sun exposure. The elite, meanwhile, enjoyed a sheltered indoor life due to their wealth, which translated into fairer skin.
If you get a spray tan four or more days before your event, your tan will start to fade, the colour won't be as dark and won't pop against your outfit like a fresh tan would. Try to aim to book your spray tan two to three days before your event and your tan will be the perfect colour.
The glow provided by a tan can make a face look more vibrant and therefore youthful. A tan can also help make muscles look more toned and more well defined. Today, having a tan is associated with people that have an active, outdoor lifestyle. A tan therefore makes people look healthier and fit.
Yes, a tan will naturally fade away due to the exfoliation of our skin. It may not be the nicest thing to think about, but the human skin sheds and then generates millions of cells everyday.
The popularity of tanning beds peaked in the late 20th century but began to decline as evidence based research linked their use to an increased risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging. Significant public health campaigns and stricter regulations also played crucial roles in diminishing their appeal.
Exposure to light is a top cause of premature aging: Sun exposure causes many skin problems. Ultraviolet (UV) light and exposure to sunlight age your skin more quickly than it would age naturally. The result is called photoaging, and it's responsible for 90% of visible changes to your skin.
According to Dr. Karyn Grossman, a cosmetic dermatologist, it comes down to lifestyle and tools. Compared to decades ago, millennials know to avoid two major skin enemies: the sun and cigarettes. Studies link 80% of visible skin aging in Caucasian skin to UV damage, and smoking wreaks havoc on collagen.
Dan Belkin, a board-certified dermatologist. Belkin added that Gen Z isn't “aging” faster, but Millennials indeed are looking younger. In fact, the internet agrees. Search interest for “Why do Millennials look so young” was up 1,140 percent in the past year.
Well, that's exactly what stage lighting does. We bodybuilders aim for a dark tan because the bright stage lighting can wash out our physique. Achieving a dark tan is going to show more muscle definition. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘢𝘯, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴.
In Japan, 44.30% of those questioned said tanned skin was attractive (p < 0.001); for Europeans and North Americans the proportions were 81.1% and 77.6%, respectively. Only a quarter (25.80%) thought it essential to return from vacation with a tan.
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.