As the weather becomes warmer and it is easier to enjoy time outside, the opportunity to get a good tan is also on the rise.
After a rough Iowa winter, the UV index is now reaching up to four or five. While not exceptionally high, it is enough for most to start working on their tan before summer arrives in full force.
For many, tanning is a great pastime and can boost mood and self-esteem. “Tanning does improve my mental health, I feel more at peace when I tan, and more confident in myself,” said junior Kate Fitzpatrick.
Although real sun-caused tans cannot be beat, it is not always easy to maintain a natural glow when living in the Midwest. Numerous resort to “fake tanning” with tanning lotion to try and capture the same effect.
Besides tanning for leisure, some feel the craze for tanning is also the result of beauty standards and pressure to conform. “I think there is an obsession with being tan,” said senior Elodie Stroup. “Our society puts emphasis on being tan, especially in the winter, and it seems to be hard for people to accept their own skin tone during this time, so they turn to self tanner, spray tans or tanning beds.”
The fear of appearing pale is a driving force among Generation Z, and it seems like most teens are influenced by what they see on social media. “Our generation definitely has a tanning problem with more and more people going to the tanning beds and obsessing over how high the uv is that day” said Fitzpatrick.
While tanning can be fun, there is a fine line when it comes to how much one should worry about their tanning status. Using fake tan methods like tanning beds can increase the risk of skin cancer due to the harmful UV light rays. Tanning recklessly outside is also harmful for skin, and without proper sun protection, the risks of skin damage and skin cancer become much more prominent.
Despite these concerns, it appears that for many, having a great tan trumps the potential risks involved. Many used spring break as a time to work on their tan, and with events such a prom approaching, there is no doubt that students will be working on improving their tans in preparation.
