Understanding the Evolution of Sun-Tanning as a Beauty Standard

Historical Context

• Porcelain Skin Era:

  • At the turn of the century, porcelain skin was the ideal beauty standard.
  • Wealthy women used skin-bleaching products to maintain a pale complexion.
  • Pale skin was associated with wealth, marriageability, and morality.

• Impact of the Industrial Revolution:

  • Shift in labor from outdoor agricultural work to indoor factory work.
  • Sun exposure became less for the working class, changing beauty perceptions.

• Scientific Developments:

  • Early 20th-century discoveries about sunlight’s therapeutic benefits.
  • Sunlight linked to Vitamin D production, influencing health perspectives.

Rise of Tanning as a Trend

• 1920s Shift:

  • Leisure class began to travel and indulge in outdoor activities.
  • Preventariums prescribed sunlight for various health issues.
  • Recreational activities like baseball, tennis, and swimming gained popularity.

• Coco Chanel Influence:

  • In 1929, Coco Chanel declared tanning as chic in Vogue magazine.
  • Tanning became a significant beauty trend among white women.

Modern Perceptions and Practices

• Current Trends:
  • Despite skin cancer risks, tanned skin is seen as attractive and popular.
  • Younger people, particularly white individuals, continue to value tanned skin.
  • Tanning methods include sunbathing, tanning beds, and spray tans for various reasons (evening skin tone, reducing wrinkles, etc.).

Socio-Cultural Implications

• Classism and Tanning:

  • Tanning historically signified wealth and a higher standard of living.
  • Exclusivity of tanning as a beauty standard for white people.
  • Reinforces class and racial divides by showcasing privilege.

• Controversy and Complexity:

  • Tanning is not inherently racist or classist, but its tradition is complex.
  • Tanning trends have contributed to significant skin cancer cases.

Conclusion

• The tradition of tanning involves layers of classism and racial exclusion.
• It reflects changing beauty standards influenced by historical, social, and scientific developments.