May be that’s you! Looking ahead to see you.

 http://www.ehbonline.org/article/S1090-5138%2811%2900110-3/abstract

Abstract 
Much attractiveness research has focused on face
shape. The role of masculinity (which for adults is thought to be a
relatively stable shape cue to developmental testosterone levels) in
male facial attractiveness has been examined, with mixed results. Recent
work on the perception of skin color (a more variable cue to current
health status) indicates that increased skin redness, yellowness, and
lightness enhance apparent health. It has been suggested that stable
cues such as masculinity may be less important to attractiveness
judgments than short-term, more variable health cues. We examined
associations between male facial attractiveness, masculinity, and skin
color in African and Caucasian populations. Masculinity was not found to
be associated with attractiveness in either ethnic group. However, skin
color was found to be an important predictor of attractiveness
judgments, particularly for own-ethnicity faces. Our results suggest
that more plastic health cues, such as skin color, are more important
than developmental cues such as masculinity. Further, unfamiliarity with
natural skin color variation in other ethnic groups may limit
observers’ ability to utilize these color cues.

http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-02-healthy-manliness.html

Researchers in the Face Perception Group took photographs of 34 Caucasian and 41 black African men’s faces in carefully controlled conditions and measured the skin colour
of the faces. The team found that in both the African and Caucasian
populations the attractiveness ratings given by the women was closely
related to the amount of “golden” colour in the skin. Their findings
have been published in the journal Evolution and Human Behaviour.

Ach, I hate going away from the 'net for a week and coming back to find good stuff that I missed. I supp. a little beta carotene, and do cooked sweet potatoes after some workouts, but I don't cook veggies. I just… can't. It's a matter of palatability. Maybe a little sauteeing, but my tongue don't know what 'bioavailable' means, it just knows that mushy vegetable matter tastes too much like food that's already been eaten and excreted by some other mammal. Guess I'll have to make do.

Also, Peggy, rest assured that we rock-tanning, weight-lifting, potato-munching predators <3 you too.

I'm a triathlete, and am in the sun about 10 times what most people are, yet I never wear sunscreen either. I think a big mistake is not getting outside enough early in the spring, and then people are thrown into summer looking like Casper the ghost.

As for attractiveness. I think females can definitely be attractive without a tan, but attractive females are usually more so if tanned. This is a highly individualized metric, but for me-tan rocks:)

I also think that people with a higher fat diet tend to do better in the sun, but I have no research to back that up-just my personal experience.

Thanks Andrew!

-Armi

Quite possibly dubious results, yeah, since I appear to be sensitive to everything that grows! haha. Didn't really need to get the sensitivity tests to figure that out.

Anyway, Crunch Pickle, my ND ordered the test. I definitely have stronger reactions to certain things than to others so maybe it's been a bit useful for recognizing that, but I understand that allergies can change – one will clear up while another surfaces, rendering the test virtually useless. The underlying cause of a dysfunctional gut/nutritional deficiencies still needs to be addressed in order for anything to improve of course. But when your digestion gets screwed up every time you put something in it, no matter how perfectly paleo you are, eliminating sensitivities can speed healing. Undiagnosed celiac disease, over five years of antibiotics and other drugs, and a handful of morbidly stressful experiences led to extreme damage to my digestive system. Was the test worth anything in the end? I honestly don't know. I still can't eat anything but meat!

And with respect to carotenoids and skin colour, many years ago a friend worked as a sales rep for a company specialising in spirulina. He took so much himself – his palms were orange. However, he was one of the healthiest looking men I'd ever met at that time, now I know why. (He also had a great physique)

Good enough to steal, eh? I'm flattered. 😀

Anyway, I couldn't help but think of this: http://www.ted.com/talks/matt_ridley_when_ideas_h…

And Part 2 is born…

The point you make about the differential attractiveness between men and women in this context is great. So great that I'm considering adding a couple paragraphs to the post, deleting your comment, then taking full credit for it. 🙂