Article
Farmer's Tan
A farmer's tan, also known as "golfer's tan" or "tennis tan," refers to a pattern of tanning that develops from wearing short-sleeve shirts or other clothing during outdoor activities. This type of sun exposure creates contrast between exposed and covered skin areas, resulting in visible tan lines around the forearms, neck, face, and hands. The term "redneck" originated from this phenomenon, referring to the sunburned necks commonly seen on outdoor workers.
Causes
- Prolonged outdoor activity with partial clothing coverage
- Sun exposure during work or recreation (UV radiation)
- Hormonal fluctuations that affect melanin production [citation: human_skin_colour]
- Repeated skin exposure to sunlight through specific patterns of clothing wear (tan_lines)
Prevention
- Use sunscreen on all exposed skin, considering individual variations in pigmentation [citation: human_skin_colour]
- Wear long sleeves or UV-protective clothing
- Be aware that melanin levels affect natural protection from UV radiation (higher melanin = darker skin offers greater inherent protection)
Social and Cultural Aspects
- The term "redneck" is derived from the sunburned necks of outdoor workers
- Farmers, golfers, tennis players, construction workers, and delivery personnel are common wearers of this pattern of partial clothing coverage [citation: human_skin_colour]
- Can be a source of humor or embarrassment in certain contexts
Biological Considerations
Skin colour changes due to sun exposure can interact with natural physiological variations. These include:
- Changes from hormonal cycles that affect melanin production (hormonal_cycle)
- Variations during states like pregnancy, which may influence baseline skin tone [citation: human_skin_colour]
Related Topics
See also discussions about how clothing patterns interact with natural physiological responses:
- Skin colour variations can affect both the appearance and practical aspects of suntans (human_skin_colour)
- Changes in body shape during various states may influence where tan lines appear [citation: human_skin_colour]
- Cultural perceptions about skin tone play a role in how these patterns are viewed or described [citation: human_skin_colour]