Every year, it’s the same thing: you take out all the paraphernalia. Milking grease, monoï, towel, book… your goal is simple: get a tan. An obsession that is not necessarily shared with your office colleagues, who are determined to maintain their fair complexion. So what does this burning desire to turn orange say? Amélie Boukhobza, clinical psychologist, enlightens us.
Sporting a golden body would be a guarantee of “good holidays”
Appearing tanned or, more simply, looking good, is still a sign of good health today. With this change in color, you give the impression of being in better shape… or even of having finally returned “rested”. An obsession with tanning, which is not so trivial according to our expert.
“It is above all a question of image, of what we seek to show upon our return. As if a golden body came to prove that we really disconnected. That we took advantage. That we lived well. In short: the success of the vacation would be measured by the intensity of the tan”, reveals Amélie Boukhobza.
But behind this fear, there is often a fear.
“The fear of being transparent. Of returning without a trace, without proof. As if we could lie about what we had promised when leaving, in a society where the body is on display, where summer must be seen, displayed, compared…”, underlines the psychologist.
In other words: a tan here becomes a sign of pleasure, of success, of belonging.
“But this need to show that we have sunbathed does not respond to a personal desire, it is aimed at others. And that is a shame. Because holidays should above all be a time for yourself, for your well-being and your pleasure – tan or not”,
specifies the expert.
Give up tanning in favor of good health
Although it can be difficult to give up your golden tan, the benefits of such a choice are numerous.
- In the short term, you will say goodbye to sunburn, allergic reactions or even sunstroke;
- In the long term, you will protect your skin from premature aging, the appearance of pigment spots, loss of elasticity… and above all, you will considerably reduce your risk of skin cancer (melanoma).
A winning bet in the end, for 100% preserved skin.
What if you still go out into the sun?
In this case, think about:
- Avoid exposure between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m., when the radiation is strongest;
- Wear covering clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV filter;
- Constantly seek shade, even when the sky is cloudy;
- Generously apply sunscreen, adapted to your skin type, every two hours.
Micro gestures that (really) make a difference on a daily basis.