<span>As recently as the turn of the 20th </span><span>century, skin darkened by the Sun was a sign of low social status almost the world over, and associated with those who laboured outdoors</span><span>. Paler skin</span><span> was </span><span>regarded as a symbol </span><span>of wealth, and of a life of privilege spent indoors.</span><span> </span> <span>By the 1920s, thinking had started to change, and American doctors began prescribing sunbathing for tuberculosis sufferers, prompting wealthy patients to flock to sanatoriums.</span> <span>In Europe, meanwhile, a </span><span>French designer, Gabrielle Chanel, was fond of sunkissed skin</span><span>, declaring in 1929 that "a girl simply has to be tanned". Soon, film stars were flocking to the beach, with men </span><span>encouraged to cultivate a masculine, coppery glow.</span> <span>By the 1950s, </span><span>a tan had become a sign of wealth, as it suggested prolonged holidaying. In the 1960s and 70s – thanks to </span><span>affordable airfares – </span><span>more people were able to travel overseas to enjoy the sunshine</span><span>.</span> <span>The first significant jump in skin cancer cases was recorded that decade (numbers have increased four fold since then) and heralded </span><span>sun awareness campaigns.</span> ____________________ Read more: <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/fashion/deconstructing-the-crew-cut-1.702904">Deconstructing: The crew cut</a></strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/deconstructing-denim-1.680735">Deconstructing: Denim</a></strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/fashion/deconstructing-gloves-1.678549">Deconstructing: Gloves</a></strong> ____________________ <span>It is now </span><span>understood that there is no such thing as a safe tan, as a deepening colour is a sign of the body attempting to block out harmful ultraviolet light by producing melanin. </span><span>Different skin tones </span><span>have different levels of melanin, and the </span><span>thinking is that a tan is </span><span>a sign of DNA damage.</span> <span>Make-up would appear to be the safest alternative, with </span><span>self-tanning lotions, bronzers and illuminators </span><span>to perfect that sunkissed look. Make sure to get advice on the right shade to match your skin type, or you might end up doing a Gigi.</span>
