Why do people(of many races-before anyone assumes anything) get tans?
966440
For many thousand years, tans were looked upon as "working class" and no respectful rich land holder would be seen with a tan.\n\nThen in the twentieth century, the rich and elite were able to lounge around in the sun in warm climates and when they came home to cold old Northern USA, everyone looked upon their tans as a status of success.\n\nHuman nature always tends to lean towards wanting what we do not have, so fair skinned people wish they had more color, dark skinned people wish they were lighter.  Curly haired woman, want straight hair, straight-haired woman, want curly.  The list goes on and on.  Human Nature.
411779
To avoid having shadows on their face.
653585
tanning is a reaction of your skin to protect itself from UV rays, melanin is produced to help absorb some of the radiation.  Sunburn is an actual burn, damage done from overexposure to the radiation.  What determines the difference is the intensity of the radiation and the duration.
398495
i think ur talking about skin pigmentations, in humans, melanin is what gives us our skin color.
155610
It is a fact that when ultraviolet light touches your skin it causes your body to naturally produce vitamin D. Vitamin D has been linked to treat and/or prevent many diseases and conditions. For example, Dr. Holick Professor of Medicine, Dermatology, Physiology, and Biophysics at the Boston University Medical Center has found substantial evidence that the Vitamin D you get from tanning can help with the following diseases and conditions:\n\n    * Breast Cancer\n    * Colon Cancer\n    * Depression (Nonseasonal)\n    * Fybromyalgia\n    * High Blood Pressure\n    * Multiple Sclerosis\n    * Osteomalacia\n    * Osteoporosis\n    * Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)\n    * Prostate Cancer\n    * Psoriasis\n    * Rheumatoid Arthritis\n    * Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)\n    * Type 1 Diabetes\n    * Type 2 Diabetes
993761
Don't go tanning.  Tanning is really, really, really bad for your skin.   You are beautiful with the complexion you already have.  You don't want to grow older and end up looking like a leather jacket.
1051720
I agree. I put sunblock on my kids everyday to help protect them while they get their exercise outside. I don't care that some people think that I am being anal about it because I want to protect their young skin. I used to tan years ago but I don't anymore. If I get a little sun on my legs that is fine, since I am 1/2 Puerto Rican I don't burn. I have a natural light tan anyway. Good for you for taking care of your skin!
594991
Yes, pale skin is most likely to get skin cancer because it does not have sufficient pigments to absorb the radiation that can cause mutations to the skin's DNA.  That is why people with lighter skin tan when out in the sun.  It is their body's response to protect their skin's DNA.
599258
It is mainly to avoid those nasty tanlines, but it feels really good to have the sun shining down on your bare naked body. Whenever I live somewhere with a private yard, I take any chance I can to sunbathe nude. It just feels good!
770340
You and every one you are speaking of need to get the hell out of the hick town you are in. We are all a part of the human race. It had been announced by a scientific study, and shown that  white skin is a genetic mutation. We were all alot darker than we are now. Get some more education your self.
648015
They're trying to change you. It's common for people to try to get under your skin if you're too calm and serene. I don't know why. It's like having an itch. you just have to scratch it.
142255
I don't understand it.  Why would people think anyone is different because of the color of their skin?  If you're white and you get a tan, does that change your personality?  No!  So why would being a different skin color mean anything?  Unfortunately I think there will always be racists...makes me sad.
3658
I know friends that get tan or sunburn when they go skiing on a sunny day.... perhaps you are looking for a more complex answer.
665387
white people have less melanin in their skin to protect them from harmful UV rays so white people are more susceptible to sunburns which in turn wrinkles the skin faster, and white people have less collagen in their skin which allows for more elasticity of a persons skin.
1177118
i don't know... never tanned before
1166028
You May Not Know Or Realize This But In The (Afro-American) Race There Are Many Shades of Colors,  So My Answer Is Afro-American People Are Proud Of Their Color No Mater What Shade Of Color They Are!......Most Afro-American People Was Wondering The Same Thing About Caucasion People,  Why Do Caucasion People Spend Lots Of Money On "Tanning Spa's And Tanning Lotions" Just To Become Shades Darker Like Afro-American People!....They Should Proud Of Their Color -White!
598124
Dark skinned people have melanin in it. \nMelanin works like a sunscreen.\nThat's way dark skinned people have less skin cancer\nwile spending a lot more time outside.