Long before tanning beds became a staple for many individuals’ modern beauty routines, sun exposure was embraced for its aesthetic and health benefits.
Ancient civilisations like the Egyptians and the Greeks had already recognised the power that the sun and tanning has in not only enhancing your physical appearance but also improving your overall well-being.
In ancient times, tanning was seen to be a symbol of beauty and a way for you to improve your health.
Laying down the foundations for the later invention of tanning beds.
But it wasn’t until the 20th century that tanning beds were invented as a way to achieve that sun-kissed glow without having to rely on direct sunlight.
In this blog, we’re going to take you through the history of tanning, from ancient roots all the way through to the invention and regular use of tanning beds.
Uncovering how tanning has evolved and diving deeper into the popular beauty tool we know today.
Ancient Origins
The concept of tanning goes back thousands of years, a long time before the invention of tanning beds.
In ancient times, sun exposure was not only admired for its beauty effects, such as a sunkissed glow, but it was also seen and used to improve overall health.
The Egyptians, for example, believed that having tanned skin symbolised high social status and wealth.
Linking tanned skin to high authority figures, like their gods.
The Greeks, however, believed more in the sun’s ability to strengthen their bodies and minds.
Greek athletes would bask in natural sunlight to boost their physical performance.
Whilst the Romans embraced the sun’s health benefits, often using it to treat various illnesses.
These early uses of tanning set the foundations for the modern invention and use of tanning beds as we know them today.
Industrial Revolution
During the Industrial Revolution, there was a significant transformation in the way having tanned skin was perceived.
Previous to this, a tan was heavily linked to outdoor labour, which was seen as a sign of someone who was working class.
But as urbanisation happened and factory jobs became more common for the working class, the wealthy began to see tanned skin in a new light.
For wealthy individuals, having tanned skin started to become more of a symbol of leisure and relaxation.
Believing that those with a sunkissed glow had the means to travel and spend time outdoors enjoying the benefits of sun exposure.
Tanning then started to become linked to a life of luxury and good health.
Rather than manual labour, like it was previously.
Scientific Advancements
Huge scientific breakthroughs in the 20th century greatly influenced the development of tanning beds.
Scientists had discovered that UV radiation, particularly UVB rays, are what plays a crucial role in the stimulation of tanning and Vitamin D production.
These discoveries are what led to the creation of artificial UV lamps that were capable of replicating sunlight indoors.
The invention of the first-ever tanning bed was in the early 1970s, and this marked a major milestone in the tanning industry.
These early tanning beds used UV lamps to allow individuals to achieve a tan without having to go outdoors in natural sunlight.
Tanning beds today offer a more controlled and efficient tanning experience.
Pop Culture Influence
Pop culture has had a significant impact on the popularity of tanning throughout the years.
20th-century Hollywood icons like Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe had a great influence on their audience and often set trends that would go on to define the beauty standards of their era.
Both of these icons would flaunt their sunkissed skin, making having a tan a symbol of glamour and sophistication.
As more and more celebrities began to flaunt their tans, it quickly became associated with health, wealth, beauty and leisure.
By the 1960s and 1970s, tanned skin was a must-have for those individuals who wanted to fit in and adhere to the latest fashion and beauty trends.
Popular magazines, advertisements and TV shows also continued to promote the bronzed look, further reinforcing the idea that having a tan was a sign of great health and high social status.
Even today, pop culture has such a huge impact on tanning.
Celebrities, especially on social media, play such an important role in shaping current and future beauty trends.
Many use their social media platforms to show off their sunkissed looks – continuing to fuel the desire for a glowing tan and making it a key beauty standard.
Health Concerns
As tanning beds started to become more popular, it started to raise concerns about their impact on skin health.
While they were great for giving you a bronzed glow, there was a growing awareness that prolonged exposure to UV rays could potentially lead to premature ageing of the skin, wrinkles, loss of elasticity and age spots.
This goes for natural sunlight as well as UV rays generated from tanning beds.
This led to a greater focus on tanning practices and using tanning beds in moderation.
But to help mitigate these risks, there were regulatory measures introduced.
Most countries now have age restrictions and specific guidelines on the duration you should be using a tanning bed for to ensure you are protecting your skin health.
It’s also why companies like The Sunshine Co. use regulated tanning beds and provide guidance on how to use a tanning bed.
Shifts in Perception
Tanning was at its peak in the 1980s and 1990s, and back then, bronzed skin symbolised health, beauty, and high social status.
Celebrities, models and anyone with any sort of social influence would flaunt their sun-kissed glow, making having a tan the beauty standard of the time.
Tanning beds made it easier for people to achieve that golden glow all year round, and this helped contribute to their widespread popularity and use.
As the awareness about the risks associated with tanning beds grew, the perception of tanning started to shift.
When the potential risks were discovered, people started to become more cautious about their tanning habits. This also made the need to consult experts before tanning so much more important.
By the early 2000s, self-tanning products like lotions, sprays and creams started to become more popular as they offered a alternative to UV exposure.
Social media and influencers played a significant role in this shift in beauty standards, often taking to popular platforms to promote new sunless tanning methods like self-tanners and lotions.
Future Trends
When we start to look at the future of tanning beds, future technological advancements are set to change how we achieve the perfect tan.
With the increasing demand for more efficient tanning options, the next generation of tanning beds are likely to feature improved UV technology that will help to deliver a more controlled and customised tanning experience for the user, helping to reduce exposure to harmful rays.
Tanning beds could also incorporate features that enhance the tanning process, like built-in moisturisers or skin-nourishing ingredients, providing a more luxurious tanning experience.
Tanning technology continues to evolve, and the tanning experience is set to continue becoming more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
The future of tanning is bright, and it’s clear that advanced technologies will continue to shape how we achieve that golden glow.
The Evolution of Tanning
Tanning has changed significantly from where it began in ancient times to where it is today with modern tanning bed technology.
Our understanding of tanning has come a long way and has been shaped significantly over the years by both cultural influences and scientific advancements.
Whilst tanning beds played a major role in achieving that sun-kissed glow, the increasing awareness of skin health has shifted the focus to alternative tanning, such as using sunless tanning methods and tanning accelerators and creams.
These products enhance and protect your skin while helping to deliver a deeper, more radiant tan.
If you’re unsure where to start on your tanning journey, the team at The Sunshine Co. are here to help.
Whether you need advice on the best equipment or guidance on finding the right tanning plan for your skin type, feel free to reach out to us.
Visit one of our locations to begin your tanning journey today!
