Summer means different things to different people depending on their geographical location. In the tropics, where the sun is at its zenith, people dread the scorching sun and prefer to beat the heat through time- tested methods or by simply resting indoors.

In the cooler zones, especially in the west, summer is welcomed for its feel-good warmth and for the outdoor activity that it triggers. It is a time for ice cream sodas and picnics, for flip-flops and barbecues. It is also a time for many to shed their clothes and revel in the sun to acquire, what is now called, a ‘bronzed look’.

Baring for Worship

In the ancient times, sun worship was part of daily life, and acquiring a tan was not considered a bad idea. The ancient civilizations such as the Greeks, Romans, and Sumerians revered the Sun as the natural source of energy and engaged in Sun Worship.

During this ritual, it was natural for them to bare their bodies before the sun; this resulted in a tanned skin – a norm among those early people.

‘Hide’ & Class

But as time evolved, tanning was considered denigrating, as it was equated to the working folks and therefore a nice thing to be avoided. Pale skin was equated to dignity and class; the more the melanin, the greater was the fall from atop a socially-high ladder.

But now, the fashion concept has come a full circle. The bronzed look is in vogue, is considered chic and classy, and the sun- bathers are going about their job in full swing!

Tanning: Means & Methods

Some people like to sunbathe in the privacy of their own space while others prefer seaside or public spaces like parks.

Some sunbathe in partial nudity, while others like to go the ‘dare all, bare all’ way,to bask in the nude,in order to aquirae an evenly - tanned look. 

The present tan –crazed generation can work on their tan, all round the year with the help of tanning devices. A tanning bed, is an equipment that emits UV radiation to artificially create a tan. This is generally used for cosmetic purposes.

A tanning booth is another device, which is similar to the tanning bed, but which is more potent. Here the individual stands during his exposure to the UV rays. There are several tanning parlors that do a roaring business, catering to public demand.

There is a hitch to this perfect scenario. The intensity of radiation, being emitted from the tanning beds, is greater when compared to normal sunlight. This requires people to curtail their exposure to shorter spells.

In addition, the Skin Cancer Foundation reports that according to a Swedish study, women between 18-30 years, who frequented tanning parlors for more than 10 times a year, were seven times more prone to develop melanoma compared to women who did not visit tanning salons.

Suntan vs Sunburn

Sun tanning is a natural physiological response of the skin cells, called ‘melanocytes’, when exposed to the UV rays in the sunlight. During this response, the pigment melanin is produced.