Spring is finally here and spring break and prom are right around the corner. Teens and college kids are planning a trip to the tanning salons or a day at the beach. The media has instilled in women that tanned skin is a sign of youth and sex appeal. Some people go to tanning salons and others spend hours out in the sun to get the sun goddess look. Many don't realize the dangers that come from the sun or a box with light bulbs that emit more UVA radiation than the sun. From light to dark skin, people are destroyed by the same UVA radiation that gives people that “sexy glow.” Being in the sun is unavoidable, but people can still protect their skin from many forms of skin cancer by doing the simplest things. People are either blinded by this fact or simply believe that this won't happen to them. From the 1800s to the early 1900s, skin shade had determined social classes. Those who were tanned were seen as manual workers and low class. Those who had pale skin were known to be wealthy and high class. It all started in the 1920s with a fashion designer, Coco Chanel, who accidentally burned herself while visiting the French Riviera. Chanel liked the dark look of her new skin and decided to maintain the look by sunbathing. (Tan) When Chanel returned from her trip, people saw her and began to appreciate her tanned look. In the 1940s, swimsuits became skimpier so you could see more and allowed more skin to be tanned, and people began using tanning oils. Hence, tanned skin became a look that showed beauty. Today, tanned skin has become a sign of youth and sex appeal. Some people have come to consider it a “healthy glow.” But lately, tanning has become less popular than it once was. Actors and Actresses......middle of paper......HowStuffWorks.com (August 20, 2009): Web. April 11, 2011. "Prevention and Early Detection of Skin Cancer." Cancer Information (July 6, 2010): Web. April 11, 2011. "Tanning." ChaCha Search, Inc (2006): Web. April 11, 2011..The Tesh Media Group. “Teenagers: Fake Baking Makes You Look 20 Years Older!” Health and Wellbeing (2006): Web. 11 April 2011. .Tunbridge, Kellie. “Why are tanning beds so dangerous?” eHowStyle (1999): Web. April 11 2011. .