The Tandemic: Our Disdain for Being Pale
Growing up and always living in close proximity to the beach has undoubtedly shaped me into the person I am today. A UV index of 10 and my bottle of tanning oil is the only thing I need for a perfect day, and living in South Florida, it seems I go through dozens of bottles of lotions, oils, lighteners, etc. The routine is second nature by now — towel, sunglasses, Bluetooth speaker, and the ever-essential SPF (if I remember).
As I look at the sea of people on the sand, flipping every 30 minutes, applying tanning lotion, and reapplying, I can't help but think to myself, "This is a little weird." Why do we feel the need to be tan? What is it about our natural skin that we have grown to hate so much?
I know I'm not the only one who chases that golden glow, who's spent hours under the sun trying to hit that perfect shade that looks good in pictures, that makes the whites of your clothes pop, that somehow signals health or beauty or popularity. But where did that idea even come from? Somewhere along the way, being tan became desirable — not just a result of time in the sun, but a symbol of status. When I have a tan, I get more compliments, and more people want to know my "secrets."
The irony, of course, is that tanning is damaging. Sun exposure ages skin and increases the risk of cancer, and yet we sit on our phones watching the UV index like a hawk trying to figure out prime tanning hours.
We slather ourselves in oils to intensify it. We've collectively decided that the risks are worth the image. But how much of this is just another trend? We see it in so many different beauty standards, so what happens when pale skin is suddenly the big thing?
These days, I'm trying to be more aware of where these beauty standards come from and how they shape the way I feel about myself. I still love the beach, and I probably always will—but maybe now, I love it more for the salt in the air, the sound of the waves, and the way the breeze carries a sense of calm rather than just the color it can give my skin.
I've definitely felt the pressure — to be tan, to be thin, to have perfect skin, to keep up. I still notice myself comparing and getting into the notion that I look "better" when I'm bronzed, despite the fact that I think of myself as rather confident. However, I've been making an effort lately to pull back and consider: Better by whose standards? Who decided that tan means beauty? And why am I allowing my self-worth to be dictated by someone else's definition of beauty?
Living by the beach, it's hard to avoid these messages — they're woven into the culture. But I'm learning to enjoy the sun and the sand on my own terms, not just for what they do for my appearance. I want to love my body because it carries me through life, not because it fits some fleeting trend. I want to feel good in my skin, whether it's glowing or not.
Strike Out,
Matthew Wolfe
Boca Raton
Matty Wolfe is a Content Writer for Strike Magazine Boca. As a lover of nature and the ocean, you can probably find him sunbathing at the beach or finding a new hiking trail. If you ever do find him inside, he'll be indulging in Lana Del Rey's discography or watching old Survivor seasons. You can reach him by email at mattheww0507@gmail.com or on Instagram @mattyywolfe.
