Miniskirts are famously banned in Castellammare di Stabia [Napoli], in Sanremo [Liguria] you can't sit on a public bench if you are aged between 13 and 59 and in Eraclea [Veneto] you cannot build a sandcastle on the beach. Italy has been much criticised for its plethora of seemingly petty and silly local laws over the past year so let us take our hats off to this lovely country when it introduces a new law which might actually improve the health of thousands:
Last week a law was passed which bans the use of sunbeds, sun lamps and tanning booths by minors, pregnant women and anyone who has ever suffered from cancer. It is estimated that at least 1.5 million Italian minors use a sunbed or lamp at least once a year, thus increasing their chances of developing skin cancer later in life by a worrying 41%. Other vulnerable groups, such as people who burned easily as children or who have very fair skin, will be monitored more carefully if they choose to use a solarium. Under the new regulations, machines used in beauty salons for manicures, pedicures and for heating wax will also be subject to stricter controls.
The history of tanning is, of course, interesting and it seems to me that Victorian ladies, with their parasols and veiled hats, knew a thing or two about staying wrinkle-free. I long ago decided that the only safe tan for me is one that comes out of a bottle and I only use it on my legs. Yes, I know it looks incongruous if your legs are tanned while the rest of you is as white as a peace lilly but anyone brought up on Jackie Kennedy photographs is likely to yearn for tanned legs in summer. What about you? Have you decided to tan or not to tan and if you tan, how do you do it?
9 comments:
I love the sun, but I always sit in the shade and stay pale and interesting.
I agree that sunbeds are very hazardous to the health.I don;t think even dark skinned or eyed people should use them.
It was fun to read some of those nonsensical laws :) I think every country has a few of those!
I'm not all that sure that tans are beautiful anyway.
I gave up using sunbeds many years ago, yet, ironically, as I have a skin condition, I am prescribed the use of a machine, which to all intents and purposes is a giant tardis like sun bed.
About once per year I need to use, and guess what?
I get a lovely tan, all on the NHS! Oh, and it really does clear the skin complaint too!
Spray tan, I suppose, is the safest option, but then, it comes off in the shower or on bedding.
I, like you, Welshcakes, could not show my legs without a tan on them.
At least, Simi doesn't have that problem, as she's tanned already! He he!
Di,xx
I once bathed in tea for an hour but still emerged lily white
I have my rub-in tan on my legs - and a large blob on my ankle!
Yes, "pale and interesting" is good, Cherie. Hi, Pat. You're right - every country has some silly laws. Music to my ears, James. Hi, Di. Yes, that's the problem: the ones I use don't come off on bedding or clothes but they do fade in the shower. Have to use them every 4 - 5 days. Worth a try, though, WW! That's the trouble, Liz - you have to be so careful with them.
Orange tans are extremely unattractive in my opinion.
But that's my opinion.
People who have other opinions ought to be able to, well, live their lives as they wish.
It's no business of anybody else's - except in the case of children, where naturally the parents should have a say.
I agree with you on the orange ones, WY!
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