&gt;a few years ago scientist had everyone avoiding the sun<p>I&#x27;m somewhat doubtful of this claim. If anything scientists would have everyone avoid sunburn since skin cancer and cataracts.<p>Tans looking good are a recent phenomenon: A couple hundred years ago light skin was a sign of high status since you could afford to stay indoors instead of having to work in the fields, so light skin was deemed to be more beautiful: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Human_skin_color#Social_status.2C_colorism_and_racism" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Human_skin_color#Social_status...</a>