Dare to Ask: Shedding light on suntan fans

By PHILLIP MILANO, The Times-Union

Question

Why do some white people get tans?

Dorothy, black, Jacksonville

Replies

It seems to slim and even out skin tone. Have you ever noticed how much nicer a black woman's legs are in comparison to many white women's?

Joy, 25, white, Minneapolis

I think you look better tan than to be a sickly white color.

Aimee, 51, white, Jacksonville

A swarthy complexion makes makeup, clothing and appearance overall look better. Notice how the tanner your skin as a white person is, the more confidence you have and the more appealing you look to others, especially the opposite sex.

Alicia, Roanoke, Va.

I'd think between the warnings regarding skin cancer and that horrible leathery look that older women have, that white folks would have enough sense to minimize their exposure to the sun, but apparently they don't. Tan on . . .

Rhonda, 46, black, N.Y.

Expert says

Blah blah blah pale skin was a sign of being upper-crust until the 20th century blah blah blah Josephine Baker and Coco Chanel popularized caramel skin and helped spur a more tanned look in the 1920s blah blah blah bronze skin began symbolizing a life of leisure in the '70s blah blah blah these days white people want to co-opt all things black blah blah blah . . .

Beyond that superb summary of all things to be known about this subject, what are even more things to be known about why people want to soak up sun rays?

Dermatologist Ali Hendi of Mayo Clinic Jacksonville shined yet more light:

- Some folks can't get over the notion that darker skin looks healthier.

- They may be vain and pursue it despite the risks and research about harmful effects of too much ultraviolet action.

- Some might actually get addicted to tanning, because there's evidence indicating it might cause chemical changes in the brain and release endorphins.

The odd thing is, people can get much of the sun's benefits without purposely lying in the sun for hours, research shows. They can manufacture vitamin D from indirect rays sponged up during the normal outdoor activities we all do, like driving at 100 mph with our arms dangling out the windows of large SUVs, or taunting unfairly stigmatized pit bulls, or stealing copper wiring from AC units, etc. OK, we exaggerated the normal activities - no one drives large SUVs anymore - but you get the idea.

And, especially in the Northern Hemisphere, people can take vitamin supplements if need be.

Overall, the downsides to being a sungod or goddess still outweigh any pluses, Hendi added.

"It's a cumulative damage over years that causes cancer and skin aging . . . the results aren't seen in 20- and 30-year-olds, but usually in our 40s to 60s and after.

"That [premature wrinkles] scares women more than the risk of skin cancer - which I would say is unfortunate."

Phillip Milano, author of I Can't Believe You Asked That! (Perigee), moderates cross-cultural dialogue at Y? The National Forum on People's Differences. Visit www.yforum.com to submit questions and answers. Send general column comments to phillip.milano@jacksonville.com. You can also hear his podcasts or watch his TV spots.