In our time, the number of people sick with melanoma increases daily. Over the past 40 years, the number of people with this type of skin cancer has increased several times. Scientists attribute this to the widespread popularity of tanning, which did not exist just a hundred years ago.
The connection between melanoma and fashion trends
Melanoma occupies only 2% of the total number of skin cancers. At the same time, it is considered the most dangerous of all. The development of this disease is facilitated by exposure to ultraviolet rays on the skin. Thus, tanning enthusiasts have an 80% higher risk of developing this type of skin cancer.
A group of researchers led by Dr. David Polsky analyzed the social, cultural and economic changes over the past 100 years. From this study, they were able to identify factors that contributed to the increase in the number of patients with melanoma.
A little history
At the beginning of the last century, the so-called "porcelain" beauty was in fashion. Most people carefully avoid the sun wishing to maintain a snow-white skin color. The fact is that snow-white skin was a sign of wealth and noble origin. Poor people tried to cover their hands and face from the sun to look like the rich.
Another sign of this fashion was the negative attitude towards black people. This was especially noticeable in the USA. Therefore, the "whites" tried not to sunbathe, so that there was not even the slightest resemblance to representatives of the Negroid race.
New trends
Everything began to change when sunlight was recognized as useful in the treatment and prevention of tuberculosis and rickets. Sunbathing began to gain its popularity first in medicine, and then in fashion.
People stopped avoiding the sun and began to gradually change their preferences in clothing, giving up long sleeves and one-piece swimsuits. Fashion houses and the media began to present revealing clothes and tanned skin as something sexier and healthier. Snow-white skin began to be considered a sign of illness.
Even during the Second World War, T-shirts and short shorts gained popularity in the United States. By the 60s, fashion had reached the bikini. Stars with tanned skin began to appear on screens and billboards.
Dangerous Fashion
Already in the middle of the last century, doctors started talking about the fact that ultraviolet rays can negatively affect the condition of the skin and increase the risk of cancer. But unfortunately, at that time the nature of cancer was too little studied and these statements did not reach the general public.
Statistics show that from the dawn of fashionable tanning in the 30s of the 20th century to the 60s, which was the peak of this hobby, the number of melanoma patients increased by 300% in men and 400% in women. Thanks to these statistics, it was possible to link changes in fashion trends and increased cases of the disease.
Conclusion
Despite the fact that many studies have been carried out in our time and the connection between melanoma and exposure to ultraviolet rays has been proven, people continue to follow the fashion. After all, in the 21st century it is still fashionable to have a chocolate skin tone. The only good news is that today there are tools that can make tanning safe. So take care of yourself and use protective equipment.
Source estet-portal.com
Add a comment