Why do some people want to tan?

I don't understand the tannng thing either. I guess it might look nice on a pretty young girl - but trouble is that too much tanning ruins the skin on people who are normally fair-skined. So by the time that girl is in her 40's she will have this horrid, dry, leathery skin - most unattractice as well as the obvious health hazards. Lying in the sun can cause skin cancer - and that can spread to other vital organs and kill you. I would never do it.

When I go tanning its because i feel like I can't wear shorts or anything that shows my legs inless I'm tan. I like to be able to tan also because it helps me clear my mind and get me time. I wish that I could do it more often but I have a baby so I hardly have time for myself.

Sunlight is essential to life. Tanning is a natural response to the skins exposure to 'ultra-violet' light. 'Ultra-violet' light can provide positive health benefits, both physical and psychological such as:- Alleviating the discomfort associated with Rheumatism and Arthritis. With the relaxing warm effect of sunbed treatments this can also help stress and soothe muscular aches and pains. Exposure to UV light helps to improve certain skin conditions such as Psoriasis, Eczema and Acne. Calcium deposition in bones is improved. The production of Vitamin D3 is increased. Tanning from a solarium does provide some limited skin protection against burning. The main potential danger from 'ultra-violet' light arises from excessive burning, not tanning. Sunbeds provide a tan under conditions where, unlike in natural Sunlight, the individual UV exposure is controlled in 2 respects, specifically in order to avoid burning - The proportion of UVB is lower than in natural sunlight. The length of a sunbed session is limited. Dermatologists have stated clearly that proper regular use of sunbeds throughout the year is much safer than an annual 2 week sun-binge on the Costa Del Sol. There is no proof that use of sunbeds have ever caused skin cancer. The concern of medical and scientific experts centres around home use of sunbeds throughout the year, where there is no regulation. Research in the United States of America claims that regular consistent tanning actually reduces the risk of the dangerous form of cancer Melanoma.

I don't go to those tanning booths. Those tanning lights are a sure way to age a person and make their skin look leathery. Not good if you want to look good in my opinion. But I do like looking tan. But I already have a natural golden color. So that is probably why I like tanning just a bit more to give myself a healthy glow. But if I do not want to spend all that time out in the sun and damage my skin...I will use the lotion that gives a person a glow. It even has a little gold glitter in it to give off the healthy glow. To me, that is the safest way to go...and cheaper too. :)

I rarely go and lay out in the sun,buy I do think people look better,more healthy with a little sun. I have blond hair and I am very prone to skin cancers, it is dangerous . I also work out in the sun so I am always tan aways.Use sun protection for sure when out.

It's societal pressure primarily brought by media. Here in the Philippines, people purchase whitening products.

A tan can look beautiful but today so can a nice white skin, years ago a tan was an absolute must it is good that things have changed in that area for the sake of out skin.

In our eyes it makes us look better and healthier. Yes, I know quite the contrary. Nevertheless, tan does look better than powder white. It boosts your self esteem and makes it easier to go public in shorts and most things you wouldn't want to wear out, not necessarily because your over weight but just because it looks better on a tan. It's also very addicting. I have missed about 4 days of tanning and I feel that I am fading. This is no lie, you wanted honesty... Look at some avatars, makes you wonder if they are really that tan... not very many chose the very white one...

some people believe that having tan skin looks more healthier. i never really understood it either. i never purposly tanned in my entire life. i'm naturally dark skinned. i do get light and when i had to be out in the sun for long periods of time, i'd get really dark (but always used protection including sun screen and a hat). to be, unatural tans looks really weird. like you shouldn't be darker then you're hair color. those women who bleach their hair and then tan like hell...it just looks odd to me. you have your skin color for a reason and lighter people should not tan and it is more dagerous to do so. their skin isn't addapted for the UV rays that come down. people with darker color skin are addapted to being in hotter climates. if you get too much UV rays, then yes it sometimes can lead to cancer. which is why i think some women do the spray booths. i have no real problem with that as long as its reasonably and looks natural.

I guess some color looks healthy but some people go overboard. I tanned in tanning beds years ago and won't ever do it again. I don't think it's worth the cancer and aging risk. I occasionally use self-tanning lotions...much healthier.

Why people tan... because they want to be like the original man. The BLACK MAN!

Natural tan is a very healthy thing if done carefully and within the safety limits, people look healthy and nice with the dark tan and it gives a good feeling to be under the sun either at the beach or at any open area, it's recommended that people let the sun shin on their skin for a moderate time daily if possible and that surely will cause a tan even if not all over but it's a matter of personal preferences when it comes to beauty, some people look great with their natural white skin and some are crazy about tanning, I guess people should try to please themselves somehow but they should be always cautious about the hazards and don't exceed the limits in time under the sun or at tanning beds.

You are right that it is said that tanning causes cancer, but there are so many other things that it can help with. I personally tan as it is perscribed by my physician. I have psoriasis and it is not mild it is severe. It is all over my body. To keep this under control I tan several times a week. Not only does it control it and keep it from spreading but it has also taken a lot of it away. This is only one reason why I go and tan, the other reason is the way it makes me look. I can be tan all year long and some women like that idea.

Tan suits some people!

I don't go to tanning booths, but I do enjoy to go outside and get a little bit of a tan. Notice I said a little. I know it is bad for you. I just like the way my skin looks when I am tan. It covers up some flaws and makes my pimples less noticeable. It also makes my legs look nice when they have a little color to them.

I don't understand why people would want to go tanning. Sure it might make you look a little better, but most of the time you can tell a "fake bake" over a real tan. What really gets me is when guys will hit the tanning bed. I mean com'on.. talk about being a sissy!

I only got tan before I go on vacation.. and my reasoning is a few... when I go on vacation somewhere warmer and sunny I like to look like i fit into the crowd there; I don't want to be all pasty and white. Also I tan a few weks in advance before vacation... so I don't burn at all while Im enjoying my vacation. I've had many vacations that have turned worse with a really bad sun burn.. So now I prepare my skin in advance. It just makes sence. Now to the people who tan year round and go into those boths everyday.. I simply don't get it

I like to tan but only under the real sun because it gives my skin a flattering healthy glow.

I have olive skin and if I don't tan I look almost jaundice. I like the look of being tan and always have. Tanning is my only vice.

I use to tan way back when but currently thats just not in my expense forcast ;) but I think the reason I did it is bc it gives you a way of feeling attractive and yes like alot of you said society its what you are givin to percieve beauty....honestly if I had the money I would probably start again bc I hate how pail my skin gets over the winter and with a tan its all even and "glowing" lol...just for a lil extra something for me I guess....and yes it can cause skin cancer but the truth is that you are more likely to get cancer from going to the beach:P Im sure there are tons of reasons why people want to tan....actually I used to love tanning when summer rolled around bc the added color to your skin hides small imperfections that otherwise might be knoticable while whereing a swim suit :P