Despite trepidation, men move into the female realm of tanning

Intimidated by unfamiliarity and an estrogen-laden environment, Jon Bryson hurried through the crowd and back toward the drove of tanning beds, dodging each eyeball that shot his way.

What was once a hallowed ground for women is no more.

More and more men are entering a new world full of ultraviolet lights and a change in attitude spurred by a media onslaught of preference to buff men with a bronze tint. Even though UV rays play a key part in the development of skin cancer and cataracts, according to the World Health Organization, warnings against health risks have failed to curtail the climbing numbers.

“I have guys who come in here and say they want to look like ‘The Situation’ from ‘Jersey Shore,’” Sol Spa Tanning manager Kristina Mrozinski said. “I’m just like, ‘OK, you’re an idiot.’”

Thanks to a new crop of reality show stars, male tanning is more acceptable and the number of men who visit tanning beds has increased dramatically.

Six tanning salons in and around Bloomington all confirmed the number of men who frequent their salons is climbing. At Sol Spa Tanning, the jump in men has been remarkable, Mrozinski said, and she could not be happier.

Mrozinski said the number of men tanning jumped from the 80-90 range during August and September 2008 to 172 by August 2009, and has been consistently reaching the 200s for months — topping out at 244 male customers in the past month.

But why the sudden increase in something that has been around for nearly three decades?

“I think it’s the media — ‘Jersey Shore’ definitely helps,” Mrozinski said, laughing.

Shows such as “Jersey Shore,” where a handful of young, tan, good-looking men and women are thrown into the same house, are increasingly popular with younger people. “Jersey Shore” spotlights the Italian-American “guido” stereotype, but in spite of the controversy surrounding the show, its season finale garnered 4.8 million viewers, landing among the most-watched television shows in the 12-34 age demographic, according to tvbythenumbers.com.

Bryson agrees that the media have significant influence on how society works.
“I think the media’s focus on being perfect in general has made it okay for guys to tan,” Bryson said. “We see people on TV in great shape, with a glowing complexion, and it’s only natural to want that for yourself.”

Bryson, who tanned three to four times a week for a month prior to spring break last year, said the popular guido look is just a fad. But the increase in tanning, he said, is here to stay.

“I think that tanning is more popular or socially acceptable because tanning itself is much more accessible, and the way society is today, people generally care more about superfluous and materialistic things,” Bryson said.

Mrozinski believes the increase has to do with wanting a better appearance.

“Some people come for legit reasons, but most just come to tan,” she said.

Mrozinski added, though, that most men who come to Sol Spa always bring another guy with them and prefer dealing with other men while inside the salon.

“They’re very shy, definitely bashful,” she said. “They feel more comfortable talking to guys.”

Sophomore Kyle Brazeal started tanning a month ago when his friend wanted to get ready for spring break but had no one else to go with. Brazeal, sporting a fresh Sol Spa tan, acknowledged that its widely growing social acceptance has made it easier to go.

“I think there was a stigma that it was only for women, but now it’s becoming more accepted,” he said. “It’s becoming more common. They want to look better.”

Both Bryson and Brazeal admitted their initial experiences were uncomfortable.
“The first few times, I felt awkward, mostly because it was a feminine atmosphere,” Bryson said. “I remember thinking it was extremely awkward walking past all the women sitting and waiting to go in and tan.”

But since then, both men said they have grown more accustomed to it and no longer feel strange.

Still, Mrozinski has noticed men typically remain in a rush to get in and out of the salon, never seeming fully comfortable.

“They want to get out as quick as possible,” she said. “You can see them saying, ‘Get me out of here.’”