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.
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.
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.
Tans became popular when Coco Chanel went on a Mediterranean cruise in 1923. She accidentally got too much sun, but the French fashion press assumed that she was making a strong fashion statement. Because of her influential status in the fashion industry, others accepted her accident as the new in vogue fashion.
Because tanning boosts confidence and is perceived as socially desirable, Routledge says that it is a psychologically comforting thing to do. Ironically, when doctors try to scare people away from something, often they will unconsciously respond by seeking comfort in precisely the behavior that puts them at risk.
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.
Mood-Enhancing Endorphins
Sun exposure triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural mood lifters. Endorphins are neurotransmitters that promote feelings of happiness and reduce stress.
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.
From a historical perspective, tanning as a fashion trend is a relatively new phenomenon, first noted in the 20th century. Earlier, pale skin was often perceived as a mark of beauty, wealth, and refinement, whereas tanned skin was considered to be typical of manual laborers.
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].
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.
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.)
According to a study called “Shades of beauty,” light brown skin tones are often the most physically attractive skin color (Frisby et al., 2006). They used four models for that study. They did not change the skin tone, but they imaged each model to three different skin tones: light, medium, and dark.
Highlights Muscle Definition
The most crucial reason why bodybuilders use spray tans or tanning beds is that it helps create an illusion of more prominent muscles. 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.
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.
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.
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.
By the 1920s, however, a cultural transformation took place, and tan skin became the ideal.
Type IV – Brown skin color, brown hair, and brown eyes, tans more than average, rarely burns, and rarely freckles. Common ethnic background: the Mediterranean, Southern European, Hispanic.
Types 1 and 2
People with Fitzpatrick skin type 1 or 2 often have fair skin, freckles, and light hair, which the American Cancer Society (ACS) list as risk factors for melanoma skin cancer. There is a high risk of sun damage, which can lead to: burning.
In conclusion, Koreans, who live at a higher latitude and in an environment of relatively low sun exposure, have lighter skin color than the Cantonese and burn easily upon UV exposure. Korean and Cantonese belong to the same Asian ethnic group, but have differ- ent skin color characteristics.
According to other studies, “The biological rationale for tanning dependence is that exposure to UV light results in both melanin, and endorphin production,” said Cartmel. The biological rationale for tanning dependence is that exposure to UV light results in both melanin, and endorphin production.
But in fact exposure to the UV lights used in indoor tanning causes a reaction in the brain that affects endogenous opioids produced in the body. Again, it's not as addictive as taking some opium or a related compound, but it does have the potential for addiction.
UV radiation was shown to provide a variety of advantages for various skin disorders. Indoor tanning using measured levels of UV radiation will help heal acne, psoriasis, and eczema. UV light reduces excessive oil production and maintains a healthy equilibrium. Tanning helps reduce the visibility of stretch marks.