The age-old question has been asked for years, and the battle rages on in bars, social circles, and internet forums. But finally, the battle is over.
Do girls prefer tanned guys?
Yes, most girls prefer tanned guys. A tan looks masculine, healthy, and implies that you are outgoing, fun, rich, and adventurous. Several research studies conclude that tan skin is more attractive than pale skin.
But why? What’s the reasoning behind it? And how do you use this knowledge to your advantage?
Let’s take a deeper look at what tanning does for your appearance.
Why Do Girls Prefer Tanned Guys? (7 Good Reasons)
Most girls prefer tanned guys. There are at least seven very good reasons.
Once we go over why women like men with tans, we’ll show you exactly (and safely) how to get that sexy browned skin. A tan can be just the thing to help put you over the edge and catch a girl’s eye.
1) Tans are Associated with Masculinity
Many people believe that tanned skin makes you appear more masculine.
Not just because of the association with men who work outside but also because our society values looking healthy and confident.
As an example, take the trend of men wearing skinny jeans. A lot has to do with expressing your personal style, but some people believe it tricks others into thinking you’re taller and more attractive.
The same is true of tanned skin—it symbolizes strength, confidence, and masculinity.
2) Tanned Skin Symbolizes Fun
People who go out and enjoy the world around them are more attractive than someone who stays at home all day playing video games and munching on chips.
Being tanned implies that you are outgoing, fun, and ready for adventure.
The idea of darkening your skin makes you look like someone who goes out there and does exciting things, such as play sports or go to the beach.
3) The Just-Back-From-Vacation Look
A tan can make you appear to have just returned from somewhere far more exotic—even if it isn’t true.
One of the main reasons tanned skin is generally viewed as more attractive is that it signifies your status.
Before the invention of indoor tanning beds, most people with tans were rich enough to afford to lounge around on the beach.
In a way, tanned skin is still associated with vacations, success, and wealth.
4) Tanned Skin Is More Desirable Than Pale Skin
As you know, the UV rays in the sun darken your skin, giving you that golden glow. This is the healthy color that girls love.
Several research studies found that women are naturally attracted to men with tanned skin—even when they don’t know it.
There is something about tanned skin that naturally triggers sexual attraction in women.
5) A Tanned Body Looks Leaner and More Defined
It’s that simple.
Just like darker clothes smoothes your figure, so does a darker complexion. It is well-known that darker-skinned individuals usually look younger than their age.
One of the reasons girls prefer tanned guys is because a tan makes men appear somewhat leaner and younger.
Read: What Color Should a Man Wear on a First Date? (Answered)
6) Tanned Skin Makes You Look Healthier
It’s no secret that a tan can make you look healthier and more confident.
That, in turn, makes you more attractive to girls who find these aspects sexy.
But some people are more sensitive to sunlight than others, so please be careful.
7) Tanned Skin Symbolizes Goodness
A 2015 study published in the North American Journal of Psychology found that people equate tans with goodness.
In the study, respondents consistently rated those with tanned skin as more favorable, likable, and moral.
As the study says, the findings support the idea that “what is beautiful is good.”
Check out this video where a reporter asks random women on the street whether they prefer pale or tanned guys:
Do All Girls Prefer Tanned Guys?
Absolutely not.
First of all, there is no “all”. People are incredibly diverse when it comes to their preferences.
It is a common misconception that all girls prefer tanned guys. Sure, the majority of women prefer tanned men. However, in the modern-day and age, there are some girls who prefer pale guys.
Your geography and culture also matter. In Asian cultures, paler skin is viewed as more attractive. This can also be true in India.
So there’s no need to stress about being tanned.
This is because all people have a preference for their ideal partners. Some girls will date bigger guys. Other girls want thinner or leaner guys.
For some women, a short guy is immediately thrown out as possible boyfriend material. Then there are women who don’t care about height.
There are many reasons why someone might not want to date someone who is tanned or not tanned—and you should never take offense if someone doesn’t want to date you because of their preferences.
Do British Girls Like Tanned Guys?
Yes, British girls tend to prefer tanned guys.
Just like in the United States, British girls view tans as healthy, athletic, active, and attractive.
Similarly, British women tend to favor natural tans from the sun more than from tanning sprays or tanning beds.
Should I Tan To Get More Dates?
Our goal is not just to answer the question, “Does tanning make me look better” (though it does) but also “should I tan in order to get more dates?”
We hope this article will help you decide if tanning is worth it in the long run.
Yes, you should tan to get more dates. Since most women prefer guys with tans, you will get more online matches with a tan.
You will also attract a wider range of girls.
Read: Does Dating Get Easier For Guys?
With that said, you also don’t want to “over tan.” Many girls don’t want you to be more tan than them (because it could look strange in photos).
Here are a few of my suggestions:
- Shoot for a bronzed skin color that settles between pale and burnt.
- Don’t use self-tanner
- If you burn easily in the sun, do wear some sunscreen.
Is It Weird For Guys to Tan?
It’s not weird at all for guys to tan. In fact, it’s a very normal and gender-neutral thing to do.
It shows you’re confident enough in your masculinity that you don’t feel the need to conceal or hide your skin from the sun.
Going to the tanning bed or sunbathing at the beach is completely not weird.
Someone who makes a big deal of it reveals more about their own insecurities than anything negative about you.
How To Get Tanned Skin
To safely get tanned skin, there are some basic facts you need to know.
First of all, sunlight comes in two important forms of ultraviolet rays (for tanning): UVA and UVB rays.
- UVB rays are what cause sunburns, as well as skin cancers.
- UVA rays contribute to skin aging.
The best way to get tanned skin is to let it naturally develop from limited exposure to the sun.
Here are some other helpful tips:
- Change body positions often
- Use sunscreen with a lower SPF (such as 30)
- Increase beta carotene in your diet (For example, eat more kale, carrots, and sweet potatos)
- You can tan more quickly around 3 pm, when sunlight is strongest
- Only expose yourself to the sun in 2-3 hour blocks of time
Prolonged exposure is a bad idea because it will age your skin more quickly (the opposite of what you want).
Getting tanned naturally is not the only way to get bronzed skin, but there’s much to be said for getting a tan safely.
The bottom line: Make sure you don’t stay too long in the sun, take frequent breaks in the shade, and apply sunscreen to protect your skin.
What Is More Important Than Tanning?
The most important thing when it comes to whether or not someone will find you attractive is your confidence and personality.
Yep, not a tan!
If you act confident in yourself, people will find you incredibly attractive because that’s the sort of personality that almost everyone enjoys.
It is so much more attractive when someone’s personality shines through, and they tell you who they really are (instead of trying to be someone that they’re not).
As long as you’re happy with the skin that you’re in, everyone else will be, too.
Final Thoughts: Do Girls Prefer Tanned Guys?
In conclusion, we think it’s pretty clear that girls prefer tanned guys.
If don’t want to tan…well, then you must be that clever guy who doesn’t rely on tan. 😉
However, if you want to look your best in a bathing suit, in your social media profile picture, or just when you’re hanging by the pool with friends, go get that skin tanned a little.
As always, stay safe and take care of yourself!
What to read next?
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