by Yorkshiremuggles

Created on: July 11, 2008   Last Updated: July 21, 2008

I can't quite believe I am writing this - an article discussing my love of that beach bronzed look. After all, everybody knows the dangers of excessive tanning, right? And I know that mine isn't a very politically correct viewpoint for a well educated thirty something female to hold. We all know about skin cancer and premature aging, and we all acknowledge the uncomfortable truth; that exposure to the sun, or to a sun bed, without the right protection is a BAD IDEA! So why am I unable to break my tan habit? Here are my top ten reasons.

1. Of course, at number one, and the reason I think many people will identify with is that a tan most certainly makes me look THINNER! For me it is the equivalent of a little black dress'; a darker skin tone seems to create a sleeker, slimmer, and altogether more flattering silhouette for me. After all, whoever heard of that mainstay of the wardrobe the little WHITE dress'? There has to be a good reason for that!

2. A tan makes my skin tone look more even - no matter what the time of the month , the latest state of my skincare regime, or how much time I have had to apply cosmetics! Having a golden canvas' rather than a pasty white one presents me with a much less daunting task each morning!

3. Having bronzed skin makes my eyes and teeth look whiter and brighter, and I feel more smiley' as a result!

4. Wearing a tan on my legs is much more comfortable than wearing pantyhose, stockings, tights - whatever you call them. Whoever invented these garments must have lived in a sun-less climate! But the thought of airing my slightly too chunky legs in public in their natural chalky white state is simply not to be borne! Tanned pins are much more acceptable!

5. When I am tanned I get so many more compliments about how well I look than those times I skulk around looking wan and pale. Being on the receiving end of these compliments is great for my mood and self esteem, and generally I feel happier and more positive as a result.

6. Actually taking time to tan means I am making time for me - a few minutes standing around in a vertical tanner, laying on a sunbed, or (best of all) stretching out on a lounger in the fresh air, is like taking a tiny mini break from my day to day life. For those 5, 10 or 20 minutes, I am not available for business to my colleagues, kids or husband. I can listen to music, read a few pages of a book, or just drowse for a few moments alone.

7. Better still, in this age of multi-tasking, whilst I benefit from my wind down time, I feel none of the guilt that I would if I was just sitting around, as I know I am achieving something else at the same time (you've guessed it - the tan!)

8. Having a tan makes me feel all year round like I have just been on holiday!

9. When I do go on holiday, I can face the beach or poolside with a head start'. Before I discovered year round tanning I used to dread the first few days, trying to bake my fluorescent white limbs to any alternative colour as fast as possible. This usually resulted in the well known but unattractive lobster' red face and shoulders atop a white body. NOT a good look!

10. Everybody knows how good vitamin D is for your body, right?

I know looking back on this list that these reasons are to do more with vanity than anything, and that presents an argument all of its own, about why as a modern, educated woman I should be so concerned with appearance. Somewhere at the back of my mind, I register that the slang phrase 'tanorexic' probably applies to me. Next time I'm on the sun lounger, I guess I should give it some serious thought

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