tanning? why?

Question

Why do so people tan? I go to high school and it like an epidemic..every girl wants to be tan and they all "lay out" and go to tanning salons and some use spray-on tan. I go to the beach since I live in Florida and instead of laying out like me by the pool where it's in the shade where the sun is blocked by the building, the girls PURPOSELY lay on the sunny and much hotter side where the harmful UV rays are! Can someone please explain to me WHY so many people want to be tan and expose themselves for long periods of time (And max. the area exposed!) purposely harming themselves with full knowledge of it! most ppl will tell u smoking is bad, especially kids..its even taught in most American schools and theres commercials (Truth)..y is tanning left out of that? Why dnt most ppl say tanning is bad since its also cancerous? is it intentional and voluntary neglect b/c they dnt want 2 think it's true? for the ppl about 2 answer that it looks healthy/vibrant, r u aware its not? (address that)

sorry guys had to shorten words (changed "to" to 2, because to b/c, etc.) to fit my question in!

Answer 1

I lay in the tanning bed but outside I use sunscreen everyday. The tanning bed is actually safer than the sun since it's more controlled and you can go to a high pressure bed that lets off UVA rays (which tan you) and not UVB rays (which burn you). I'm sure there's no such thing as "safe" tanning but I tan in the tanning bed and burn in the sun (unless I already have a tan which I get from the tanning bed) even with sunscreen on. UV rays are everywhere! Do you ever wonder why you get burned much worse on a cloudy day? It's because the clouds filter the UVB rays through which is what causes you to get burned in the 1st place.

Answer 2

Some people may not like to read this, but the bottom like is "vanity". People, especially women, think that a tan makes them more attractive (and I must admit that generally speaking it does), look healthier, and slimmer.
Also, many people believe the "experts" who tell them that using tanning beds is perfectly safe. Of course they're going to tell you that, it's their business. The tanning industry is BIG business indeed! Besides tanning salons popping up everywhere, look at all the lotions and potions they sell, and look at the prices.... scary. There's also a psychological reason for tanning without giving it much thought. It's the reason that tells tan-lovers that cancer will not happen to them, that the risk is minimal, that the benefits outweigh the risks (????). If you must tan, I would recommend eating more carrots and applying a spray tanner. You may have to do it more often than once a week but it's worth it. And if you're not willing to do that, all I can say is: burn now, pay later.

Answer 3

Young women tan because it gives the illusion that they're more toned than they really are. It makes them look thinner. Many get airbrushed and when done by an experienced professional they can actually fake muscle definition and even a 6-pack. The whole trend definitely has to do with popular culture, Holywood and exotic Brazilian models.
Personally, I am opposed to overexposure to UV rays since in 10 years you'll start getting premature wrinkles and in 20 years you'll look like a leather monster with an uneven complexion and sun spots. However, I have nothing against self-tanners and bronzers as long as they're applied moderately and not excessively in which case women look orange.

Answer 4

Blame Coco Chanel. She started the trend in the 1920s. Somehow tanning makes you look like you're rich and go to exotic sunny locales all the time (like Coco did). Others say it makes you look healthy. I say bs.... I'm pale, and if I were meant to be darker I would have been born that way. I think people are after the image of status that tanning offers. Bullocks. Back in the day being pale was the rich person's status symbol b/c it meant that you didn't go outside and work. Cancer takes a backseat to status and image with people who habitually tan.

Answer 5

I guess it looks good, but fair skin can look good, too. Have you seen Lolita Davidovich in the movie Blaze? She played the part of the famous stripper, Blaze Starr. Although I think it was called Burlesque back then. I think she looked beautiful. Back in the old days (centuries ago), fair skin was a sign of wealth, because it showed that you didn't have to labor in the hot sun.
And that reminds me. I remember when (late 70's, early 80's) girls would wear an SPF 2 tanning oil, and lie on silver colored mats. That's begging for skin cancer.

Answer 6

I am very pale, and yes I have thought about tanning but seeing how all these women look when they are older has topped me from doing it. Also not to mention the damage caused by the UV rays . If they want to look toned, then work out. If you are not happy about how pale you are I'd day find the beauty in what was given to you by nature :)

Answer 7

We are living in the image-conscious world. I don't know why everyone continues to tan besides the obvious even after they learn how harmful it can be years down the road. Those are usually the same people who will preach about smoking, drinking, or whatever else that people are doing that is bad for them.