Tan lines refers to a division between an area or areas on the skin of a human of pronounced comparative paleness relative to other areas of their body that have been suntanned by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The source of the radiation may be the sun, or artificial UV sources as used in "Sunbeds". The tanned area is such that it becomes visually clear where the body of the person was exposed versus the place(s) they covered up. Tan-line areas can occur more generally in almost any context where the human body is exposed to comparatively more sunlight in certain areas than in others. In some cases very little sunlight is required: people can sometimes pale even further than the natural skin tone of the rest of their body. In women, paling further than natural skin tone sometimes occurs in the areas of the breasts typically covered by the brassiere or a bathing suit top. Paling can also occur due to coverage around the buttocks or groin area where clothes are especially taut. Tan lines can be an inadvertent result of a work environment or of recreational activities, or of a personal choice.
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Farmer's Tan
A Farmer's Tan is the tan lines developed by a working farmer regularly exposed to the sun.[1] The farmer's tan is usually started with a sun tan covering only the arms and neck. It is distinct in that the shoulders, chest, and back remain unaffected by the sun. Similar tan lines include the "Texas tan" or "trailer tan", which is extremely similar, with the exception that the shoulders are also affected by the sun. The Texas tan is caused by working in the sun while wearing a muscle shirt or an A-shirt.
Some of the common tan lines associated with a farmer's tan include:
- forearms (from a short-sleeve shirt or t-shirt)
- neck (from shirt collar)
- thighs (if shorts are worn)
- ankles (from socks, only if exposed)
- forehead (if a hat is worn)
- wrist (if a watch is worn)
A farmer's tan is not necessarily representative of or limited to farmers: Hank Hill has a farmer's tan in the animated TV show King of the Hill[2].
Trucker's Tan
A "trucker's tan" is a variation of the farmer's tan where one arm from the sleeve downward is tanned significantly more than the other arm due to driving with the windows down. While named a "trucker's tan," such a tan line is not exclusive to truck drivers and can be attained by driving most motor vehicles. An "inverted trucker's tan" is when the passenger in a vehicle has similar tan lines as a trucker's tan, but on the opposite arm.
Taxi driver's arm
In the United Kingdom "trucker's tan" is known as "taxi driver's arm" and is exclusively, since driving on the left, the right arm which rests on the open window.
Driver's tan
A driver's tan is associated with extensive driving while hanging one arm out the window.
Biker's tan
A biker's tan is tan line that goes up 3/4 of leg, where lycra bike shorts would normally begin to cover. Depending on the activity, the inner side of the arms may be paler than the outer side. There may also be a tanned area on the back of each hand, exposed by cycling gloves
- "Goggle Tan"
- "Tennis Tan"
- "Racing Stripes" - the portion of a bikini tan line exposed when wearing one-piece swimwear.
Intentional tan lines
One of the common uses for tanning beds is to reduce the appearance of tan lines. Because an individual has the option of tanning completely nude in a tanning bed, and most public areas do not allow nude tanning, it has been seen as an alternative for those who are actually seeking a tan.[citation needed]
In contrast, some people prefer to have tan lines, and will wear undergarments or swim wear in a tanning bed or outside for the sole purpose of creating a sharply defined tan line. Sometimes this may be the bikini bottom area only, or a complete bikini cover up. Some people find this more sexy than a full body tan, although this varies from culture to culture.
Additionally, tan tattoos or tanning stickers can be purchased that are simply stickers that attach to your skin while tanning. Common designs are a heart, Playboy bunny and dolphins, but many different designs exist. These are typically sold on a roll of 500 to 1000 as single use, disposable sticks. People can place the sticker on the same area each time they tan (indoors or outdoors) and this will leave the covered area pale, while the rest of their skin tans normally. This allows the individual to see their tanning progress, and allows others to see as well if the tan tattoo is used in an exposed place.[3]
It is also possible to use sunscreen to intentionally create tan lines that form patterns or words, to make a statement or simply create a wanted design.
See also
References
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