A quick stroll around SMU during a school day when students are scurrying to and from classes will prove that a large portion of SMU women love having a tan. It’s no surprise either. It’s become a part of our culture signifying beauty, youth, fun and health. Women and men alike are returning from Playa del Carmen, Cancún and many other Caribbean destinations showing off their newly bronzed skin. We all look at each other and admire the healthy dose of sun we’ve acquired this past week, but how healthy is it? If successful, I will debunk the myths that getting that dark tan is healthy, beautiful or youthful. In fact, if anything, it is the opposite of such assertions.
The myth that a tan equals beauty: Girls, a tan does not always equal pretty. There is a multitude of beautiful, striking and unique girls that don’t bake in the sun to get their desired look; Kirsten Dunst, Nicole Kidman, Scarlett Johansson, among others, although, I do admit that most stars have bought into “the tanner the better” concept. The hard truth for many of us is that we just don’t look that good with a tan. I am a prime example! I’ll admit it. Year after year, I try to get some sun here and there. Ultimately, I just burn, and go back to being the blond haired, blue eyed, fair-skinned kid that I’ve always been. But what’s wrong with that? Nothing. My fellow students, don’t feel like you have to bake yourself to look beautiful.
Tanning makes you look young and fresh: The media loves to show us that having a tan is what’s in. We see young starlets walk the red carpet at premieres and award shows showing off their new designer clothes and their “glowing” skin. A tan may be in, but it doesn’t mean you’re out when you don’t have one. As I mentioned before, Nicole Kidman is a fashion icon who has timeless style that transcends fads and trends, and she is white as snow!
Tanning makes you look healthy: This may be what people say, but scientific studies show us that over time tanning does just the opposite. First, if you really want a tan, go to Wal-Mart, Target or CVS and get a good sunless tanner or bronzer. Times have changed and so have self-tanners; you won’t look orange like they say! Try Jergens, they have a top rating and the results look just like the real deal.
Why all the fuss about tanning? Well, with the amount of tanning people do on our campus, it has become a problem. Not for me, but for the people tanning. It’s all about educating yourself. UV rays rapidly speed aging with wrinkles and age spots. Nobody wants that. Obviously, you won’t see the effects today or tomorrow, but just 10 years down the road you’ll wish you had stayed inside or cancelled that Palm Beach Tan membership.
It is a common misconception to think that being pale means you’re sickly. An even bigger mistake is to believe that having a tan equates being healthy. Don’t buy into it! You owe it to yourself. If you really want a tan, get a Mystic tan or bottle self-tanner. Trust me, you’ll thank me later.
Brent Lemons is a junior international relations and political science major. He can be reached for comment at blemons@smu.
