Why do people tan or lighten their skin?

Some people make it a big deal if someone lightens their skin. But if someone tans their skin, some people dont make it a big deal. Why is that?

Why do people tan or lighten their skin?
Probably for the same reason that light people try to get tan. Everyone wants to be what they're not.
Reply:because we all want to be or have something we are not or don't have.
Reply:I think people think that being tan atracts mates but i say that it atracts lobsters cause u will look like 1
Reply:I keep a mild tan for health reasons actually. I have to spend a LOT of time outside during the summers as an entertainer. I am VERY allergic to sun block. If I didn't keep a tan I would burn to a crisp. Burning puts you at an insanely high risk for skin cancer. Mild tanning really doesn't if you do it RIGHT.
Reply:It is because of how beauty is perceived in the society we grew up in.





For example, I grew up in an Indian neighborhood where everyone loves white skin. So I sometimes get tempted to lighten my skin.
Reply:I personnaly don't understand people who lighten their skin. It means to me that the light colour is better than the black one. They suffer from the complex of inferiority or there are racist without realising it.





Do tanners also want to resemble non light skin people.


Humans are never satisfied!
Reply:The reason people usually make a big deal when someone tries to lighten their skin ( esp if they are black) is because of the stigma caused by attitude towards skin color. People have the mistaken belief that they will be treated better with lighter skin ( better looking, smarter..)... So people think you're feeling somewhat inferior.


The other way around doesn't have that stigma.


It's sad anyway.
Reply:people who tan are trying to be something they are not...and because its socialbly acceptable.. and the society seems to rule the way you look...
Reply:Because people see so many people around them being and wanting to be tan. People are affected by the opinions of other people. And if someone wanted to be lighter it would seem different than everyone else, making it 'weird'
Reply:because tanning is so common now...and lightening your skin is a different look and you dont really hear of many people lightening their skin, but there are tanning beds all over the place and its just so common.
Reply:I think it's because tanning is something that happens naturally, whereas, lightening your skin is not
Reply:no one is ever satisfied with anything,live long enough,you will see this.
Reply:I like to tan ONLY my legs cause I am very white and it makes my legs look nicer when I wear shorts. Also I was tired of the rude comments about my white legs.