Why do some black or mixed race people tan?

[Anonymous]

This does not make any sense.

I have heard of black people (considered light skin), but they still have a fair amount of melanin in their skin. Their skin tone is yellow, or golden brown.

And they talk about how they have to tan.

Ex. Tamar Braxton.

What is the point of that?

You are capable of being able to tan because your skin has melanin. This makes no sense. Someone please explain this.

Updates

+1 y

Why go to a tanning booth? When you can stand in the sun.

Updates

+1 y

Your skin is already able to naturally do that because of your race.

[Anonymous]

Well, the point would be that they aren't as dark as they want to be at that moment for whatever reason lol

My mom is like a light tan/beige skin tone (we're all black in my family) and she considered tanning before. Instead, she just uses tanning lotion like the gradual tanning lotion from jergens. She used this when we went on a trip a few years ago. She wanted to be tanner and more goldeny.

I'm "light skinned" - medium tan/medium dark with golden undertones. I could see the appeal of tanning. It would hide certain imperfections that are more visible with my natural skin tone, in natural bright light. However, certain lighting makes me look darker and more golden anyway. I do get darker without intent though. The sun does that. I still try to protect my skin as much as possible, wear sunblock, hats in the summer, etc. Even if I were pale, I would try to protect from the sun. tanning beds are just toxic for the skin, no matter what your skin tone is.

But I don't necessarily see why it would matter if I'm black vs. if I were Asian or Latina. Your skin tone is your skin tone. And there are some black people who aren't yellow, theyre just pale. My aunt is like that. Her undertones are not golden or yellow, theyre cool undertones. One of my friends from high school is half black and she likes tanning. She used to do the beds, but now she just lays out in the sun.

Also, you don't always get the result you want. I never aim to tan. I'm already tan. However, being outside for a long time can leave me sunburnt. Its this episode of getting browner/tanner, more bronzed, and also red at the same time. I went to this fun festival with an Asian friend (she is darker than I am) last summer. I had my sunblock on. My face looked like a f***ing brown tomato when I got home. So if I were seeking the tan results I wanted without risking a burnt look, maybe I could control that effect by tanning beds, sprays, or lotions. Idk, just an idea.

[Opinion Owner]

also time, environment, etc. Maybe you don't have time to go lay out or you don't want to go through that. You could just go to tanning bed. Also for tan lines, I'd imagine its easier to tan in a bed than to walk around in the sun naked. Youd have to find a specific safe spot for that. Or just not care if someone sees you naked. Maybe its winder and you don't want to travel to a warmer place to lay out in a bikini, etc.

[Cuddle_Muffin]

I am pretty dark, I don't tan on purpose. I get burnt from the sun. Tanning works on lighter people like beyonce or rihanna's complexion. They can lay in the beds more a more efficient and effective tan. I'm dark, but I do get darker from the sun. I get tan lines. I don't really want to be darker or lighter. I like my color as is. But I have gotten spray tanned before. It made my skin look like I had Bronzer all over. Which was nice, I might do it again.

But anyways, you don't have to be completely pale or be white skinned to tan. We can all do it. Even people of Alex Weks complexion. We can always get darker.

[Asker]

Honestly, you and Rihanna look about the same skin tone. She's not really light (medium brown).

But I get your point. Its just makes more sense to me that people of color would just stand in the sun for a few minutes to achieve this. Rather than spend money on tanning booths. I understand white people doing this because some of them can't get darker from the sun. But I guess different people like various ways ':' to try things.

[Cuddle_Muffin]

Lol, I am much darker than rihanna. But yeah, that's fine. I am glad you sort of get it.

[Asker]

Maybe its the lighting from your photos. But yeah I sort of get it.

[Asker]

link

[xHoneyxBeex]

I don't know any black people who tan...my boyfriend doesn't even like getting darker in the spring when he plays baseball and that's from being outside naturally. He's kind of "golden brown" like you described but he's told me most black people don't tan.

So I don't know why the people you're talking about do it. But I would assume for the same reasons white people do. Either they want to be darker or it's relaxing to them. I don't tan a lot but I have before and I find it to be very relaxing and I could fall asleep in the tanning bed if I wanted.

[Anonymous]

Why do white people tan? What's the point of that?

It's the "in" thing to do right now. You don't want them to feel left out, do you?

[Asker]

Okay...a lot of white people tan because they are unable to naturally do it.

Black people are able to get darker, without even trying (standing in the sun for a few minutes).

So what is the point of going to a tanning booth? That is my question.

You are still haven't answered it. So

Goodbye.

[Opinion Owner]

But why do they do it? So what's the point of white people going to a tanning booth? Why do they want to alter their skin color?

I did answer yours actually. I said it was the "in" thing to do. There's a saying for this, but I think people would take it the wrong way.

[Asker]

Sry, If I came off a little rude :\.

But does it make sense to you when they can easily achieve it without having to go to such lengths?

[Opinion Owner]

It's part of the "fun" I guess.

[vishna]

It actually takes me a while to get tan and I have sufficient melanin? (though the end results are wonderful link :3

Anywho :P going to a tanning booth is a fad that even black girls, all girls that are (gifted with the ability to get darker much more safer) are susceptible to

[Anonymous]

I haven't been in the tanning booths but I enjoy the glow my skin gets in the summer. Our skin may have lots of melanin, but it won't tan unless we are exposed to sun or light. I am naturally caramel skinned but due to my olive/neutral undertones I feel like I look better with the bronzey glow I get from a little tan. Maybe some people go to the tanning booth because they want a more controlled all-over tan instead of a farmer's tan

[ShesSoSilly]

I don't know they want to be darker or a different color than they are. Maybe its not much of a difference to others be they see a difference in themselves.

[Anonymous]

why does white skin tan?in my opinion its stupid...but whatever.

[Anonymous]

why not?

[Anonymous]

It's a trend