Why do you sunbathe - honestly ?

[NCTDN]

Genuine question so please don't judge me. I'm not racist so please don't think that but am truly intrigued as to the reasons for sunbathing.
Just returned from turkey which was really really hot! I'm pale skinned and do feel better for a tan. So I alternated between staying in the shade, the pool and the sun, determined to get some colour. But it was uncomfortably hot.
Lots of people stayed in in the shade understandably. But there were non-white people in the sun.
If you already have tanned skin, why do you stick it out in the sun ?

Because I don’t have a holiday, so sitting in the garden and getting a little tan makes me feel better when I go back to work.

I think people will judge you OP. Bit random to link spending time in the sun and racism?!
Some people love being in the sun. Some people don’t. The main aim isn’t necessarily to get a tan. You’re making it out that it is. Weird post.

I'm currently in Turkey and tanned fat looks better than pale fat 🤣🤣 so I like a bit of a tan.

Because I live in Scotland & the lack of vitamin D is ruining my life

I don't understand what you're getting at

I used to sunbathe as a teen and in my early 20s because I thought it looked good. Paid no heed to the damage side.

Now I avoid the sun at all costs, but am an expert fake tanner. I don’t know anyone that actually sunbathes.

Because despite you massively generalising that all people of colour have the same level and depth of colour, they don't. Many Black people stay out of the sun so their skin doesn't get darker, others like sun bathing so that it does. Same as you.

Are you asking why people of colour sunbathe??

People of all skin shades:

1. benefit from vitamin D
2. enjoy warmth of the sun
3. can prefer the tanned (darker!) look
4. can get skin cancer and should use sunscreen

I cannot believe you need to ask why anyone who isn't white would want to relax outside in the sun.

This. I'm not sure what you're asking OP

Same. My skin tans easily but I don’t fancy looking like a handbag or having cancer so I fake. I’m so good at it now. Aus used to have a campaign saying ‘no tan is a healthy tan’.

Any colour change to your skin is damage and therefore could cause cellular changes down the line. I’m happy to forego that!

I knew it might sound like that and am certainly not racist. I do really mean, why do people of colour sunbathe ?
It was incredibly hard work imo and not pleasant. But like others on here, for me, tanned fat is more pleasing than white fat That's my incentive to endure the heat (whilst wearing factor 50).
But if your skin is already tanned, why endure it?

Because a) People of colour can actually also tan (shock horror!) and b) Some people just like sitting in the sun and find it pleasant and relaxing. Basically, the same reasons as anyone else sits in the sun. Is it that hard to understand? This is a very weird thread.

Do you not supplement? It's rare you will get enough from the sun anyway so I take 4000IU daily which has got my level from 9 to 66 so far

A top dermatologist once told me that a suntan is simply a sign that your skin has been damaged.

The sun on your skin feels good. I live in Florida and one of the main reasons we moved here is the sun, since I suffer from SAD. I'm in my 60s, only use sunscreen if I go to the beach, have fair skin (German, English and Scandinavian heritage) and so far no skin cancers of any kind. Natural vitamin d is good for you.

I rarely lie in the sun, do a lot of swimming and am outdoors a lot though but lie in the shade and read books and get a good colour from that. Always have high factor cream on.

Some people just love the feeling of hot sun on their bodies.

I'm white, but I sunbathe and go on the sunbed because I have psoriasis and it stops me from getting any patches.

As a bonus, it also improves my mood massively. So I imagine people like sunbathing because it makes them feel happy.

Why do people who are white tan? It’s massively damaging to your skin and it’s ageing, not to mention the cancer risk. There is a non-harmful fake tan option. Why on earth not do that especially if you don’t even like sunbathing?

Agree with PPs darker skin tones can tan if that's what they want. I like to lie in the sun because it feels nice and it's rare as an adult you get to just be still for a few hours. I am very pale and don't tan so I reapply factor fifty regularly. Surely some people just enjoy laying in the sun regardless of skin colour?!

Really stupid question! So people of colour should just stay indoors and never even go on holiday?

Well, people of all skin types and colours can enjoy the feel good factor of some warm sun on their skin. All can tan somewhat too. It also helps increase vitamin D and B12.

All should be in moderation of course and all should wear sunscreen (reapplied several times in the day).

Personally, I prefer shade (with suncream on). I'm very fair skinned though thankfully I don't burn too easily. I take sun in short bursts only. Mostly I am indoors or in the shade.