Sheets of paper over asian eyes...?

Question

aqpandab:

But why books/paper rather than sunblock? It's true of course that UV will have an effect on the skin, but Vitamin D is vital - a google search brought up this study:

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1584409

"Conclusion

The survey revealed considerable ignorance and confusion about the role of sunlight in vitamin D production, and the function and sources of vitamin D. Attitudes and behaviour toward sunlight were largely negative and many took measures to avoid sunlight, particularly among younger (middle-aged) women who had good awareness of vitamin D."

So, if I can extend the question, could someone who knows give some account for this cultural relation to sunlight?

Answer 1

its so they dont get sunburnt and end up looking like Adam Ant

Answer 2

It's to decrease the uv rays penetrating the skin!  have you been to a dermatologist lately??? They can x-ray picture your skin and show the sun damages on your skin!  These women may look weird on the streets, but their skin will definitely look much younger much longer without having any or much work done to it.

For sub question, the only answer I have for shades instead of sunblock is the fact that sunblock is heavy, greasy, and costly, and may cause skin irritation/additional problems.  I personally hate wearing sunblock... but you made a good point with Vitamin D, but i'm sure if those women take the effort to avoid the sun, I'm sure they make the effort to eat healthy enough as well.  

Besides, the sun's ray nowadays seems to be much more potent than before... so shades (regardless of how weird) is perhaps the better option to avoiding those harmful rays.

I also read the new comments, it is a cultural aspect as well, fair skin does equate to wealth.

Answer 3

in their country being as white as possible means ur rich.. if ur darker it means u work in the fields picking rice. its more of a tradition now... they look at being white as a sign of beauty.. u kno sometimes they even paint their face white to get the full effect

Answer 4

uhm...don't you have anything else to wonder about?

anyway the question has given me the creeps, as it sounds like there are some  women who for some reason have sheets of translucent paper inserted between their eye and the lid. Some   weird augmentation...

Answer 5

It is a sign of beauty to be pale skinned.  They associate sun burn with the poorer people who work in their fields, so its also a sign of being wealthy enough not to have to go out in the sun.   Seems the western world dont mind getting skin cancer as long as they sport a tan, they seem to think we will imagine they got it in some faraway exotic place, when we know most of it comes out a bottle or from a sunbed.