The positive effect of a tan could be attributed to the fact that it provides a uniform light reflection with a continuous blend of light and shadow, in contrast to pale skin that is commonly associated with pigmentation differences and sharp shadows.
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.
The deeper the shadow, the more defined you look. Not only does tanning make you look more fit, but is also helps conceal any imperfections you have. If you have any blemishes or scars across your body, tanning will make those areas look less obvious and will also provide you with a healthy skin glow.
Studies by researchers & beauty advisors found that people perceive a light brown tanned skin tone to be more physically attractive than a pale or dark skin tone.
UV ray exposure releases endorphins in your body, which promotes a sense of well-being, a “feel good” emotion. Along with that, you get a healthy dose of vitamin D, which is important for your bones, blood cells, and immune system. It makes sense why tanning makes us feel good!
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.
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.
Average skin colors are seen as most attractive. Typically, tan is the average skin color, making it very attractive to most people. However, the most attractive skin color varies on preference, culture, and sex. A healthy skin complexion and rosy “glow” is always considered attractive.
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.
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.
In Japan, Spain, and Brazil, the majority of individuals featured in “beautiful woman” images had type I skin – the lightest tone of all. In the U.S. images, the most common skin tone was type II. Meanwhile, type III was the most common tone for “beautiful woman” images in France and Russia.
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.
Looking whiter or paler after sun exposure can be a reaction to intense sunlight, especially if you have a fair complexion. This phenomenon can be due to the skin redirecting blood away from the surface to reduce the impact of heat and UV radiation.
While often associated with good health, the “glow” of a tan is the very opposite of healthy; it is evidence of DNA injury to your skin. Tanning damages your skin cells and speeds up visible signs of aging. Worst of all, tanning can lead to skin cancer.
Having pale skin is challenging because it may look dull and unhealthy. There are multiple reasons for your skin to turn pale. These include: Anemia [1]
Skin barrier function is reportedly stronger in darker skin tones (the stratum corneum is the skin barrier). Asian skin is reported to have similarities with Caucasian skin in terms of water loss and has the weakest barrier function.
The preference for more golden or 'yellow-toned' skin as healthier might be explained by the 'carotenoid pigments' that we get from the fruit and vegetables in our diet. These plant pigments are powerful antioxidants that soak up dangerous compounds produced when the body combats disease.
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.
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.
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.