Tan lines
Encyclopedia
Skin
-Dermis:The dermis is the layer of skin beneath the epidermis that consists of connective tissue and cushions the body from stress and strain. The dermis is tightly connected to the epidermis by a basement membrane. It also harbors many Mechanoreceptors that provide the sense of touch and heat...
of a human
Human
Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...
of pronounced comparative paleness relative to other areas of their body that have been suntanned by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet
Ultraviolet
Ultraviolet light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength shorter than that of visible light, but longer than X-rays, in the range 10 nm to 400 nm, and energies from 3 eV to 124 eV...
radiation. The source of the radiation may be the sun
Sun
The Sun is the star at the center of the Solar System. It is almost perfectly spherical and consists of hot plasma interwoven with magnetic fields...
, or artificial UV sources as used in tanning beds. 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 breast
Breast
The breast is the upper ventral region of the torso of a primate, in left and right sides, which in a female contains the mammary gland that secretes milk used to feed infants.Both men and women develop breasts from the same embryological tissues...
s typically covered by the brassiere
Brassiere
A brassiere is an undergarment that covers, supports, and elevates the breasts. Since the late 19th century, it has replaced the corset as the most widely accepted method for supporting breasts....
or a bathing suit top. Paling can also occur due to coverage around the buttocks
Buttocks
The buttocks are two rounded portions of the anatomy, located on the posterior of the pelvic region of apes and humans, and many other bipeds or quadrupeds, and comprise a layer of fat superimposed on the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius muscles. Physiologically, the buttocks enable weight to...
or groin
Groin
In human anatomy, the groin areas are the two creases at the junction of the torso with the legs, on either side of the pubic area. This is also known as the medial compartment of the thigh. A pulled groin muscle usually refers to a painful injury sustained by straining the hip adductor muscles...
area where clothes are especially taut. Tan lines are usually an inadvertent result of a work environment or of recreational activities, but are sometimes a personal choice.
Farmer's tan
A farmer's tan is the tan lines developed by a working farmer regularly exposed to the sun. 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 "TexasTexas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
tan" or "trailer tan", which is very 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-shirtT-shirtA T-shirt is a style of shirt. A T-shirt is buttonless and collarless, with short sleeves and frequently a round neck line....
) - 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
Hank Hill
Henry Rutherford "Hank" Hill Age 50 animated series King of the Hill. Hank lives in Arlen, Texas and works at the fictional Strickland Propane selling propane and propane accessories. Hank's voice is provided by series creator Mike Judge. The Economist named Hank Hill as one of the wisest people...
, a propane
Propane
Propane is a three-carbon alkane with the molecular formula , normally a gas, but compressible to a transportable liquid. A by-product of natural gas processing and petroleum refining, it is commonly used as a fuel for engines, oxy-gas torches, barbecues, portable stoves, and residential central...
and propane accessories salesman, has a farmer's tan in the animated TV show King of the Hill.
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.In England, this tan is known as a "white van-man tan", since people in professions such as building, plastering, or plumbing tend to have this tan, and a "white van" is their most commonly used vehicle.
Taxi driver's arm
In the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
"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.
Franciscan tan
A "Franciscan tan" is a tan that is associated to the FranciscanFranciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
order. The reason behind this is that Franciscans usually wear sandals during the summer. This creates an odd tan line when the sandals are off because, depending on the sandal, will have a tan line.
Driver's tan
A driver's tan is associated with extensive driving while hanging one arm out the window.Biker's tan
Cycling
Cycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists...
'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. Unless you use cycling gloves
Cycling gloves
Cycling gloves are gloves designed for cycling. They fulfill three functions: warmth, comfort and protection.- Warmth :Gloves are frequently used to keep the hands warm, a function that is particularly necessary when cycling in cold weather...
made to allow tanning, the area on the back of each hand will usually not be tanned.
Other recreation-related tan lines
- "Goggle tan"
- "Tennis tan"
- "Racing stripes" - the portion of a bikini tan line exposed when wearing one-piece swimwear.
- "Soccer tan" - a stripe of tan from the lower thighs to the bottom of the knees common to soccer players; the upper thighs and lower legs are covered by shorts and shin guards/socks.
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.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.
Additionally, 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.
It is also possible to use sunscreen
Sunscreen
Sunblock is a lotion, spray, gel or other topical product that absorbs or reflects some of the sun's ultraviolet radiation on the skin exposed to sunlight and thus helps protect against sunburn...
to intentionally create tan lines that form patterns or words, to make a statement or simply create a design.
Avoiding tan lines
The wearing of clothing while tanningSun tanning
Sun tanning or simply tanning is the process whereby skin color is darkened or tanned. The process is most often a result of exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or from artificial sources, such as a tanning bed, but can also be a result of windburn or reflected light...
results in creation of tan lines, which many people regard as un-aesthetic and embarrassing. Many people desire to avoid creation of tan lines on those parts of the body which will be visible when they are fully clothed. Some people try to achieve an all-over tan or to maximize their tan coverage. To achieve an all-over tan, the tanner needs to dispense with clothing; and to maximize covering, they need to minimize the amount of clothing they wear while tanning. For those women who cannot dispense with a swimsuit, they at times tan with the back strap undone while lying on the front, or removing shoulder straps, besides wearing swimsuits which cover less area than their normal clothing. Any exposure is subject to local community standards and personal choice. Some people tan in the privacy of their backyard where they can at times tan without clothes
Nudity
Nudity is the state of wearing no clothing. The wearing of clothing is exclusively a human characteristic. The amount of clothing worn depends on functional considerations and social considerations...
, and some countries have set aside clothing-optional swimming areas (also known as nude beach
Nude beach
A nude beach is a beach where users are legally at liberty to be nude. Sometimes the terms clothing-optional beach or free beach are used. Nude bathing is one of the most common forms of nudity in public. As beaches are usually on public lands, any member of the public is entitled to use the...
es), where people can tan and swim clothes-free. Some people tan topless, and others wear very brief swimwear
Swimsuit
A swimsuit, bathing suit, or swimming costume is an item of clothing designed to be worn by men, women or children while they are engaging in a water-based activity or water sports, such as swimming, water polo, diving, surfing, water skiing, or during activities in the sun, such as sun bathing.A...
, such as a microkini. A recent innovation is tan-through swimwear, which uses fabric which is perforated with thousands of micro holes that are nearly invisible to the naked eye, but which let enough sunlight through to produce a line-free tan. Tan-through swimsuits offer SPF protection of about 6, and an application of full-strength sunscreen even to the covered area is recommended.
Because of the potential sunburn
Sunburn
A sunburn is a burn to living tissue, such as skin, which is produced by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation, commonly from the sun's rays. Usual mild symptoms in humans and other animals include red or reddish skin that is hot to the touch, general fatigue, and mild dizziness. An excess of UV...
which can result from excessive exposure to direct sunlight, many people suntan in moderation and wear some clothing, including a hat, and use suitable sunscreen
Sunscreen
Sunblock is a lotion, spray, gel or other topical product that absorbs or reflects some of the sun's ultraviolet radiation on the skin exposed to sunlight and thus helps protect against sunburn...
. From time to time they also sit in the shade
Shade
Shade is the blocking of sunlight by any object, and also the shadow created by that object. Shade also consists of the colors grey, black, white, etc...
or cool off in water.