Hot or not--evaluating the effect of artificial tanning on the public's perception of attractiveness.
BACKGROUND
Despite strong evidence that sun exposure causes skin cancer, a significant proportion of the population continues to purposefully tan. Many individuals deliberately tan because they believe a tanned complexion makes them appear more attractive.


OBJECTIVE
To measure the effect that a tanned complexion has on the public's perception of attractiveness.


METHODS
Forty-five women aged 21 to 35 were recruited. A digital photograph was taken of each subject. Each image was uploaded onto a public website until it had been rated at least 100 times on a scale from 1 to 10. An average baseline, or untanned, rating of the image was calculated. The image was then given an artificial tan using a skin tanning protocol available for Adobe Photoshop. The tanned image was then re-uploaded onto the website and another average rating was calculated using the same criteria.


RESULTS
The mean score±standard deviation was 6.3±2.3 for the untanned images and 6.5±2.3 for the tanned images (p<.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The population who logged onto the website considers tanned people to be more attractive.
Vanguard Dermatology and Skin Cancer Specialists, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA. info@vanguardskincancer.com
Vinh Q
VQ
Chung
Justin S
JS
Gordon
Emir
E
Veledar
Suephy C
SC
Chen
D000328:Adult; D001504:Beauty; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010465:Perception; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000528:radiation effects; D055108:Sunbathing / Q000523:psychology*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D055815:Young Adult