The standards of beauty vary from one culture to another and at different times in history. In western societies, for a long time having fair skin was synonymous with aristocracy. The idea is that if you have bronzed skin, it’s because you often work hard outdoors, so you belong to the working classes. Until the end of the 20th century, members of the upper classes protected their skin from sunshine.
With the coming of paid holidays, all this changed completely. Sea and sun bathing became a sign of well-being and good health. Tanning gives you a healthy glow. Add the influence of some key personalities, such as the mixed-race star Josephine Baker, and voila – the power of the media made a tanned complexion fashionable for people of all classes. In their frantic pursuit of a tan, some people don’t hesitate to use artificial means, in other words, tanning beds where you are exposed to ultraviolet rays before exposing yourself to the sun.
This exposure is a long way from being harmless. It has become, in a society where everything always goes very (too) fast, a real social phenomenon. During the summer, you’re not allowed to reveal your body if you’re snowy white, hence the attraction of tanning beds. And since, in many people’s minds, physical appearance is the key to success, why not have a session of cosmetic tanning right away so you have “tan credibility”? The problem is that you can get addicted to UV! This syndrome has been given the name “tanorexia”. Scientific studies carried out by Harvard University in Massachusetts have shown that during tanning sessions, the skin releases endorphins which create a state of dependence and euphoria like that experienced by heroin users.
Our skin does have a need for sunshine. Animals are well aware of this, and they love to enjoy the first rays stretched out on the terrace in the garden. They instinctively seek an exposure which will give them vitamin D. However as soon as the sun gets really hot, you’ll see them take the precaution of getting into the shade. It’s the same for people. Depending on the colour of your skin and the amount of pigmentation, we are not all the same when it comes to exposure to the sun. If we get carried away, we risk skin cancer and premature ageing of the skin.
Given the increase in risks related to the sun, it’s lucky that the deal has changed somewhat. More attention than ever before is now paid to prevention, and we take care not to expose ourselves thoughtlessly. Also, we no longer point the finger at those with white skin.
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