There are many things that the media has helped us believe make us more beautiful and tanning is one example. “It has been suggested that the primary factor motivating UV exposure is the desire to obtain a tan, and the primary motivating factor for having a tan is the favorable impact that it has on perceptions of physical attractiveness.” (Mahler, 119) It has been proven in multiple studies that tanner people are rated more attractive than people that are not tan. And, individuals believe that they are more attractive when they are tan; but, are the risks really worth it? There are between two and three million cases of skin cancer diagnosed every year and the majority of those are due to sun exposure and poor skin protection techniques. “Historically it has not always been considered attractive or desirable to have a tan. Until early in the 20th century, suntanned skin was viewed as indicative of working-class farmers and outdoor laborers, whereas fair skin was associated with wealth and nobility and was viewed as more desirable.” (Mahler, 120) The tan movement began when fashion designer Coco Chanel featured tanned models in one of her shows. Shortly after, the tan appearance no longer indicated poor lower-class farmers and laborers but instead was indicative of wealth and class. It is no question that the media played a huge role in making this popular. The media, especially magazines, featuring models with admirable traits encourages girls to aspire to be like what they see. They see all these people that are “beautiful” and they will do everything that they can to be like them, even if it’s harmful to their health or deadly.
Mahler, Heike I. M., Shiloh E. Beckerley, and Michelle T. Vogel. "Effects of Media Images on Attitudes Toward Tanning." Basic & Applied Social Psychology 32.2 (2010): 118-127. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 16 Apr. 2011.
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