Why are Western countries obsessed with tanning?

Darker skin symbolizes being poor. Conversely, in western countries a tan means that you have disposable income to take vacations into sunny climates or have free time away from a desk job to lay on the beach and get a tan. A tan symbolizes wealth. Skin tone is a proxy for socioeconomic status.

What is the obsession with tanning?

Tanning dependence or Tanorexia (a portmanteau of tanning and anorexia) is a syndrome where an individual appears to have a physical or psychological dependence on sunbathing or the use of ultraviolet (UV) tanning beds. Compulsive tanning may satisfy the definition of a behavioral addiction as well.

Why are people attracted to tan people?

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.

Why did tanning become popular?

When colour movies and television became prevalent, actresses wanted a tanned skin to look better on the big screen. As tanning became popular, so did sunburn, however, which opened up the market for products such as tanning oils. By the 1960s, tanning was just as much as status symbol as pale skin used to be.

Why are British people obsessed with tans?

The influence of Coco Chanel began Britain’s obsession with ‘tanned’ skin in the 1920s, branding it healthy, exotic and an indicator of attractiveness. Going back further, ‘tanned’ skin was seen as an indicator of a low social class in Britain, a mark of outside labour that betrayed your status as working class.

Can people be addicted to tanning?

Experts have long wondered why many people tan regularly despite the known risk of skin cancer. Past studies suggest that the motivation is not just vanity—some tanning buffs have symptoms of dependence and withdrawal.

When did tans become attractive?

When did tanned skin come to be considered attractive? In the 1920s. Many Europeans and Americans considered pale skin a mark of wealth and leisure until the early 20th century.

Why do Western people take sun baths?

Sunbath therapy is a natural way of healing different health problems. Sunlight helps to regulate melatonin production in the body, which is necessary to maintain the circadian rhythms of the body. Depriving yourself of healthy exposure may also cause the deficiency of vitamin D in the body.

Why is tanning seen as a sign of lower class?

Many Asian cultures cover up in the belief that tanning is a sign of labouring outdoors, which was the domain of “lower classes”. But in the West we associate brown skin with lots of sunny holidays and therefore a higher socioeconomic status, not to mention the fact that surveys have found that people universally rate tanned people as hotter.

Why do people in China have tanned skin?

It is because in traditional China, high-class women normally reside in “boudoirs” and don’t receive much sun exposure, and are therefore more fair skinned compared to other women. However, for men, either high-class or low class, they have to do some public work outside, so the skin colour is always tanned.

Is tanning a sign of labouring outdoors?

Tanning is an interesting phenomenon. Many Asian cultures cover up in the belief that tanning is a sign of labouring outdoors, which was the domain of “lower classes”.

What is the difference between East Asian Tan and Western Tan?

My mum explained to me that Westerners have brighter skin with pink undertone so when they tan, they turn a glowy golden bronze, whereas East Asians have duller skin with yellow undertone, so when East Asians tan, our skin turn a greyish dull colour which looks “dirty” and unhealthy.