History of tanning

Nothing on Earth is as important as sunlight, without it life would not exist. Not only do plants produce their growth energy from it, but so do we. At a simple level, when the sun shines,we feel better, happier and are more active. Aside from the psychological effect, it also has real positive benefits for our health, which have been well established by researchers over many decades.

To the Ancient cultures, the sun was an object of worship both as a god and as a short cut to looking good. Sun terraces and solariums were the forerunners of our modern day tourist beaches and sun salons. A good dose of sun was seen to be a curative measure and something to induce a feeling of well-being.By the 18th century, tanned skin was firmly associated with people who had to work outdoors – in other words it had become a class issue. Rich ladies stayed in the shade with their pale skins, and the labouring classes baked themselves in the sun.

Liberation only came in the 20th century, when the tanned look became fashionable in a way not seen since the end of the Roman era a millennium and a half previously. Ironically, the return to tanning was not to do with looking good but was through the encouragement of doctors who recognised the positive effects which sunlight has on bone conditions such as rickets. In this day an attractive tan is equated with good looks, health & success.