Change in perspective...

[AprilBaby]

I was driving home from work today and its hot and sunny. Lots of people out. First I saw a blonde man on a tractor very dark tan skin. 10 min later I saw a blonde woman cross in front of me in a sundress. Again very tan. Both times I thought " how unhealthy! Such risk for skin cancer!" After 9 different skin cancer surgeries I have a much different perspective on healthy looking. I enjoy my pale, spot free skin. I don't think I have ever thought about it before. I grew up in an age where we slathered on the baby oil to get darker. Healthy looking was the best tan possible.

 

[SB621]

After living in Japan for 3 years where they cover all their skin no matter how hot it is outside -it does affect your thinking. I'm very pale by nature and I get sun spots easily so I have always put on 30+SPF. I'm jealous of those that do tan, but I'm content with my lot in life of looking like a ghost.

 

[kenny]

A tan is a huge scab over injured skin.

I hope this style thing eventually goes the way of smoking.

 

[yennyfire]

I am a pale-ish redhead and I have LOT of sun damage from sunbathing in my teenage years. I had to have skin cancer cut out of my arm (I have a 2 inch scar) a couple of years ago and became MUCH more religious in my use of sunscreen. A friend of mine has had 4 surgeries in the past few months to remove melanomas from her back. Her prognosis is good, but it's been a very scary time for them. I had been doing my face daily, but the rest of my body only when going to the pool/beach. Now I wear it daily everywhere. It's a pain, but will be well worth it!

I'm working on my kids, but it's hard. They HATE the process of applying sunscreen and I don't want to scare them by showing them photos of the horrible damage the sun can cause, but boy, would it be nice if they appreciate the value of sunscreen at an early age....

I'm with you Kenny...I wish they'd start a pro-sunscreen campaign similar to the anti-smoking campaign....

 

[monarch64]

I think deliberate tanning to the extreme probably isn't the healthiest thing to do. However, some people who work outdoors for a living really don't have a choice in the matter of developing a dark tan. You said the blond man was on a tractor? It's possible he works outside for a living. Should every fair skinned person be excluded from working construction or other outdoor jobs? Will it come to a point where insurance will be more expensive for people who are pigment-challenged because they have a greater risk of skin cancer? Just a few thoughts.

My aunt is like you, April, she's had a lot of skin cancers removed and she's very pale (Scandinavian.) My mom is really pale too but has stayed out of the sun since her late 30's and at 70, she looks much younger than she actually is and you can tell she never smoked and didn't spend much time in the sun. I am fortunate to take after my dad's Native American side and tan very easily although I no longer deliberately try to achieve a tan as I did in my teens and twenties. I spend a fair amount of time outside going on hikes and gardening and honestly even with sunscreen it is hard for me NOT to get a tan. My genes were meant for life in a hot, sunny climate, I guess.

 

[sonnyjane]

I think deliberate tanning to the extreme probably isn't the healthiest thing to do. However, some people who work outdoors for a living really don't have a choice in the matter of developing a dark tan. You said the blond man was on a tractor? It's possible he works outside for a living.

Thank you for posting this perspective! I was about to say that I work outside for at least 8 hours a day. I do put on sunscreen but that doesn't mean I don't have a tan (ugh, an embarrassing tee-shirt and sock tan at that). I suppose I could wear a jacket and long pants in 80 degree weather to cover my arms and legs, but with a physically demanding job like mine, I'd probably pass out of heat stroke if that was the case.

 

[mary poppins]

Pale and proud!

 

[missy]

From when I was a very little girl my dad ingrained in me a healthy respect/fear of the sun. My dad is very very pale and so am I so from a young age I was always protecting my skin from the UV rays. That did not stop me from getting rosacea unfortunately (no family history of it either) but at least I am doing all I can. My dh was raised in a different environment and his family never taught him the dangers of unprotected UV ray exposure. When he met me that all changed ofc and now he wears sunscreen religiously. However, that did not stop him from developing melanoma (I am sure in part if not wholly due to the UV exposure from when he was young for many years) for which he is now under a doctor's care and sees him every 3 months at this point.

I hate sounding preachy but I will tell anyone who cares to listen the importance of being protected from UV rays. As others wrote you cannot fully protect yourself but just do the best you can. I wear sunscreen always but I still get some effects because we long distance cycle (just finished 80 miles today woohoo!) and no matter how often I reapply some sun is going to get through. Just remember to wear it and reapply every couple of hours and wear sunblock clothing when you can (I love Coolibar and Solumbra) and at least you are being proactive about your health.

 

[AprilBaby]

I'm not in any way saying people shouldn't work outside. We NEED people who do. I'm just saying MY perspective on a healthy look has changed. Not everyone will get skin cancer. Some skin genetics are made for outdoors. And outdoor workers are not my usual target, celebrities and teens bother me much more. Magazines are full of "healthy" models looking bronze. I'm just saying pale is healthy too.

 

[monarch64]

I think being proud of being pale is healthy and great! In fact, the ONLY downside I know of that comes from avoiding the sun at all costs is a vitamin D deficiency. My mom has it and has been instructed by her doctor to spend at least a few minutes outside every day as well as taking an oral Vit D supplement. Also, there are lots of celebrities who are pale and proud--Anne Hathaway, Nicole Kidman, etc.

 

[sonnyjane]

I'm not in any way saying people shouldn't work outside. We NEED people who do. I'm just saying MY perspective on a healthy look has changed. Not everyone will get skin cancer. Some skin genetics are made for outdoors. And outdoor workers are not my usual target, celebrities and teens bother me much more. Magazines are full of "healthy" models looking bronze. I'm just saying pale is healthy too.

I will tell you that last month I wrote in to Cosmo with a comment. The magazine had two different articles on the importance of sunscreen and checking for skin cancer, yet every model featured throughout the magazine had a deep tan. I told them that if they wanted to encourage people to stop thinking that tans were necessary to look attractive they shouldn't highlight them throughout the magazine. No response this far lol.

 

[sonnyjane]

I think being proud of being pale is healthy and great! In fact, the ONLY downside I know of that comes from avoiding the sun at all costs is a vitamin D deficiency. My mom has it and has been instructed by her doctor to spend at least a few minutes outside every day as well as taking an oral Vit D supplement. Also, there are lots of celebrities who are pale and proud--Anne Hathaway, Nicole Kidman, etc.

You need very little exposure to get the recommended amount of Vitamin D. Many suggest just 10 minutes outside.

 

[missy]

I think being proud of being pale is healthy and great! In fact, the ONLY downside I know of that comes from avoiding the sun at all costs is a vitamin D deficiency. My mom has it and has been instructed by her doctor to spend at least a few minutes outside every day as well as taking an oral Vit D supplement. Also, there are lots of celebrities who are pale and proud--Anne Hathaway, Nicole Kidman, etc.

Good point about the vit D Monnie. Make sure it is D3 as that is better absorbed. I take 6000 IU's a day which is over the recommended amount but that is for another reason. My blood levels are in the 60-70 ng/ml range which is just where I want it to be.

 

[minousbijoux]

I'm not in any way saying people shouldn't work outside. We NEED people who do. I'm just saying MY perspective on a healthy look has changed. Not everyone will get skin cancer. Some skin genetics are made for outdoors. And outdoor workers are not my usual target, celebrities and teens bother me much more. Magazines are full of "healthy" models looking bronze. I'm just saying pale is healthy too.

I will tell you that last month I wrote in to Cosmo with a comment. The magazine had two different articles on the importance of sunscreen and checking for skin cancer, yet every model featured throughout the magazine had a deep tan. I told them that if they wanted to encourage people to stop thinking that tans were necessary to look attractive they shouldn't highlight them throughout the magazine. No response this far lol.

Nice, Sonnyjane! Hopefully, more and more people will become aware of such mixed messages and point them out more, just as you did. If so, eventually, they'll pay attention - and not just in publishing the comments in the "Dear Editor" section.

 

[lliang_chi]

Sonnyjane, they have sunshirts which are long sleeve but have built in ventilation (mesh vents) that would help with being outdoors but still protected from the sun. Take a look @ fishing shirts/pants. I got a bunch for my honeymoon (we went on safari). My brother (avid fisher) also has a bunch too. And we sweat a lot, so believe me, it really does work.

http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/browse/womens-fishing-clothing/_/N-1102495/Ns-CATEGORY_SEQ_104816880?WTz_l=SBC%3B+LNcat103936680%3Bcat104789880..

 

[sonnyjane]

Sonnyjane, they have sunshirts which are long sleeve but have built in ventilation (mesh vents) that would help with being outdoors but still protected from the sun. Take a look @ fishing shirts/pants. I got a bunch for my honeymoon (we went on safari). My brother (avid fisher) also has a bunch too. And we sweat a lot, so believe me, it really does work.

http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/browse/womens-fishing-clothing/_/N-1102495/Ns-CATEGORY_SEQ_104816880?WTz_l=SBC%3B+LNcat103936680%3Bcat104789880.....

Unfortunately I have a "costume" that I must wear at work, although ironically enough my uniform involves the short-sleeved vented fishing shirt from Cabela's.

 

[LAJennifer]

A tan is a huge scab over injured skin.

I hope this style thing eventually goes the way of smoking.

This.

 

[packrat]

I used to tan regularly but quit several years ago. When you look at your skin when you have those little sunnies eye stickers on and your skin has little spots all over it..that bothered me. I couldn't see them w/out the uv lights--but they've pretty much all turned up now. Dark spots, not raised moles, aaaallll over my skin. Mostly my arms. When I decided to quit tanning, JD thought it was ridiculous, but I'd read too much about the damage that you do *now* not showing up for 20-40 years or whatever. We didn't have kids at the time, but the thought of not being around to see grandkids just b/c I wanted to be "prettier" by being tan was what seemed ridiculous to me. I quit smoking b/c I didn't want my skin to look terrible and my voice to get strange--and b/c you never know what the long term effects will be on your body. Why take the chance?

My gramma on my mom's side has had multiple cancers removed from her skin. Her brother actually lost his nose to skin cancer.

I do think I looked better when I was tan, and it was soooo much easier to match my foundations and powders when I was tan. Ehhh well...my tattoos show up a lot better on my pale skin, and it's much easier to put sunscreen on my entire body rather than just on my tattoos which was a pain in the butt when I tanned.

 

[KaeKae]

A tan is a huge scab over injured skin.

I hope this style thing eventually goes the way of smoking.

I've been saying this for years. What happens when your burn yourself at the stove? A blister forms, the skin turns red, then scabs. Sunburn = the same thing. We all know burning yourself at the stove is bad, doing the same at the beach, pool, etc. is the same thing, as far as your body is concerned.

And I agree with your analogy with smoking. It sure is taking a long time to get there, though.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Most American women love to be roasted under the sun. Asian women avoid the sun as much as possible.

 

[Dancing Fire]

[quote="KaeKae|1371326803|

I've been saying this for years. What happens when your burn yourself at the stove? A blister forms, the skin turns red, then scabs. Sunburn = the same thing. We all know burning yourself at the stove is bad, doing the same at the beach, pool, etc. is the same thing, as far as your body is concerned.

[/quote]


No, b/c there are no UV from the stove.

 

[AprilBaby]

Most American women love to be roasted under the sun. Asian women avoid the sun as much as possible.

Why is that?

 

[monarch64]

I love this thread, and I'm actually so glad you brought it up, Aprilbaby!

I have one of those sun shirts, it's long-sleeves but the sleeves roll up and can be tabbed. It's vented and it's quick-dry, but it's still really hot. I would much rather wear a simple synthetic fabric tank top, but wear it during morning and evening hours when the mosquitos are out and on hikes to avoid ticks (it's treated with permethrin.)

I recently read something about researching your sunscreen to avoid harmful chemical additives. Does anyone have any knowledge about this? I haven't had time to delve further into the topic, but am concerned. And re permethrin--I hate having chemicals next to my skin but have researched thoroughly and permethrin is not readily absorbed by the skin from what I've read. Would love to hear others' opinions.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Most American women love to be roasted under the sun. Asian women avoid the sun as much as possible.

Why is that?

Back in the olden day China if you had light complexion means you came from a wealthy family. women with light complexion means that they didn't have to work in the rice fields under the sun.

 

[madelise]

Most American women love to be roasted under the sun. Asian women avoid the sun as much as possible.

Why is that?

Back in the olden day China if you had light complexion means you came from a wealthy family. women with light complexion means that they didn't have to work in the rice fields under the sun.

It's not just Chinese or Asian women. In most parts of the world, being pale is seen as beautiful. It's only the US that started getting obsessed with tanning after Coco Chanel accidentally started the trend. Westernized nations followed suit, eventually, but never as crazed as Americans did!

 

[Dancing Fire]

A light complexioned Asian woman will always look younger than her age.

 

[AprilBaby]

Most American women love to be roasted under the sun. Asian women avoid the sun as much as possible.

Why is that?

Back in the olden day China if you had light complexion means you came from a wealthy family. women with light complexion means that they didn't have to work in the rice fields under the sun.

Same thing is Civil War America. Scarlett Ohara had perfect skin. Only workers in the fields were tanned.

 

[Ally T]

Each to their own i think. I tan easily as my mum has olive skin, but I have also had a couple of nasty sunburns over the years which put me off sunbathing. I lived in New Zealand for a few years & there I got into the very healthy habit of applying sun cream daily. I don't do that back in the UK unless it is hot, in which case I apply cream after about 15 minutes of healthy sun exposure. I do the same with my daughters - they get lotioned in the sun after a small amount of exposure for the vitamin D, as per the advice of our Health Visitor. I am recently back from holiday in Greece with a tan, but nobody got burnt & we looked after our skin.

In the UK there are many body lotions available with a tiny hint of self tan, which just give you a summer glow & don't turn you orange. I use these if I am going somewhere special as I can look a bit green & ill when I'm pale

My daily moisturizer has SPF in it also.

 

[lovebug1031]

I was driving home from work today and its hot and sunny. Lots of people out. First I saw a blonde man on a tractor very dark tan skin. 10 min later I saw a blonde woman cross in front of me in a sundress. Again very tan. Both times I thought " how unhealthy! Such risk for skin cancer!" After 9 different skin cancer surgeries I have a much different perspective on healthy looking. I enjoy my pale, spot free skin. I don't think I have ever thought about it before. I grew up in an age where we slathered on the baby oil to get darker. Healthy looking was the best tan possible.

playing devils advocate here - but how do you know the woman with the sundress doesn't spray tan?! and i think many in fact i may generalize here and say MOST celebs spray tan now as well...

 

[qtiekiki]

I love this thread, and I'm actually so glad you brought it up, Aprilbaby!

I have one of those sun shirts, it's long-sleeves but the sleeves roll up and can be tabbed. It's vented and it's quick-dry, but it's still really hot. I would much rather wear a simple synthetic fabric tank top, but wear it during morning and evening hours when the mosquitos are out and on hikes to avoid ticks (it's treated with permethrin.)

I recently read something about researching your sunscreen to avoid harmful chemical additives. Does anyone have any knowledge about this? I haven't had time to delve further into the topic, but am concerned. And re permethrin--I hate having chemicals next to my skin but have researched thoroughly and permethrin is not readily absorbed by the skin from what I've read. Would love to hear others' opinions.

The EWG's guide is what I've been using: http://www.ewg.org/2013sunscreen/

I am much better with putting sunscreen on my kids than myself, but I really need to be more on top of it since I am getting wrinkles.