Dark skin changes idea of beauty
(eastday.com)
Updated: 2004-09-30 09:53

Tanned skin is in. Ghostly white is out.

A new trend is sweeping the city of Shanghai as more people want darker skin, a big change from traditional views that hold white skin is more beautiful.

Hong Kong actor and singer Louis Koo Tin-Lok before a sun tan [baidu] Louis Koo Tin-Lok seen after a sun tan [baidu]

Mh tanning, Shanghai's first professional tanning salon that opened on Nanjing Road in May, said several hundred people visited this summer.

"Most of our customers are young people including foreigners," said Jin Lei, MH's manager.

According to Jin, the average cost to get a tan is 1,500 yuan (US$180).

Lying on the special tanning bed, which releases artificial ultraviolet radiation, clients can choose how dark they want their skin.

The service is also available in the Ritz-Carlton Health Club.

The hotel says it opened its Solarium service years ago and it is popular since Shanghai has limited space and sun for people to develop a natural tan.

In addition to the tanning beds, various cosmetic products can also give skin a bronze appearance.

Chen min, who returned from a vacation in Toronto, Canada, said she was excited to learn the news.

"You know tanned skin is very popular in Toronto," Chen said. "I always wanted my body tanned, but I am too busy and have no time to go to the beach."

"If I could find time, I would like to try the tanning bed."

However, some residents are still skeptical about the service.

"I can't accept the idea that tanned skin is more beautiful than white skin," said Zhou Beijun, a magazine editor.

She said she still uses sun block lotion, especially on the face, when going out.

Another office woman named Huang Yi said she was afraid of damaging her skin with radiation even though the tanning beds are free of cancer-causing UV-B rays.

Wang xueming, vice president with Shanghai Skin Disease & STD Hospital, said that some ultraviolet radiation is good for the body's health.

However, Wang warned that an excessive amount of UV rays would damage skin cells.

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