I live in england so im english (duh) and my firend has very pale skin like snow white its really pretty, except when she tries to get a tan she just gets burned or turns red.
Why is it that some white people can tan and others cant does it have anyting to do with genetics?
2007-07-25 22:53:34 · 7 answers · asked by Keshoo 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Why dont i have any answers yet? T.T
2007-07-25 23:18:11 · update #1
I believe it has to do with the melanin in our skin. People who have more of it, are naturally darker skinned and also tan much easier.
My Dad is like your friend. He's of English-Scotts-Dutch descent and cannot tan. He turns pink! Now he wears a SunBlock lotion because he's at high risk for skin cancer.
My Mom, on the other hand, is olive-skinned and tans easily and beautifully. She's Arab descent.
I'm half-way between both parents. I tan fairly easily and rarely burn. But, I do protect my skin with at least an SPF 8 Sunscreen - especially my face, even though I'm light olive-skinned.
I do hope your friend is protecting her skin with a SunBlock or SPF Sunscreen. Take care to both of you and enjoy the summer!
2007-07-25 23:20:58 · answer #1 · answered by Jehan 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Your skin is usually described as of a Celtic type. Even though you seem not have any Celtic ancestry, this might be quite wrong. In the north of Spain are the Basques - Celts and in the Western edge of Germany and right on into Holland and Belgium, there are many folk of Celtic origin. You can these days by very good quality fake tan. Try not to burn up in the sun. Take care - skin cancer is a serious problem these days with everyone trying for a tan. One other point, there are many folk of German origin living in Mexico - maybe your life line comes from there as well.
2016-05-18 23:22:14 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tanning is the result of the release of melanin in your skin. The darker your skin is naturally, the more melanin you have. The lighter your skin, the less melanin.
Very fair-skinned people just don't have what it takes to tan. Sorry.
*Edit - why the thumbs-down? Did I say something offensive? Try this: My mom was Dane-Scot, my dad was Sicilian. My sister got my dad's skin, and looked like a bronze goddess in the summer. I got my mom's skin, and have to be very careful how much sun I get because I turn into a beet. A fried beet.
2007-07-25 23:32:11 · answer #3 · answered by mrscjr 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes, it's genetic-certain races that lived in hotter climates over thousands of years developed more melanin in their skin. Others, like my primarily Irish ancestors, have very little. So, I can't tan, but I do have most beautiful smooth white skin for my age.
2007-07-25 23:26:52 · answer #4 · answered by barbara 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I dont know. Perhaps the ones that can tan have some Mediterranean / dark Euro (or Arab) background and the ones that can't tan aren't mixed.
2007-07-25 23:21:53 · answer #5 · answered by X-Ray 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm half Scottish and very pale and I can tan..everyone can, you just have to take it real SLOW...
2007-07-26 00:42:29 · answer #6 · answered by Winter Blossom 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I guess there scarred they might get cancer from the suns rays lol.
2007-07-26 03:49:51 · answer #7 · answered by reelperspectiv 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋