As early as the 1960s, water nymphs wandering with bare chests became an integral attribute of beach life on the French Riviera. Things were more complicated in the USA – there, the first model who dared to shed the shackles of her bra on the shore of Lake Michigan aroused keen interest not only from onlookers and photographers but also from police officers, who immediately arrested her. Although today people mostly still remain loyal to traditional swimsuits, nevertheless, on most famous beaches, the top 'patch' is no longer mandatory.
The best place for topless tanning is traditionally considered Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. Following the passionate carnival, Brazilians invented the most microscopic bikinis in the world, and soon they abolished them as unnecessary. A bra is perceived there as a kind of atavism. A similar situation exists at Blacks Beach in San Diego, California. Semi-nude women sunbathe there on the cliffs and therefore look very appetizing. Their peace is disturbed only by surfers and parachutists, who have also taken a liking to this picturesque coast. And also photographers keen on racy photos, who are attracted by the fashion and beauty of the involuntary models.
The heart of Bali's nightlife is Kuta Beach. Topless is like a dress code here. If you want to admire the fantastic sunset, you're welcome, but you'll have to put the top of your swimsuit in your beach bag. It would also look like a 'sore thumb' on South Beach in Miami. South Beach is probably the best topless beach in the USA. Its party atmosphere attracts crowds of young, beautiful, and sexy people.
The French island of St. Bartholomew, known as St. Barts, exudes typically Gallic coolness regarding beach nudism. Topless is allowed on all beaches; it is simply ignored. If you want your charms to attract a few glances, then head to Anse de Grand Saline and Anse du Gouverneur ('anse' means beach in French). There are no restrictions here, but the local residents are very proud of their progressive attitude toward beach fashion and greet all newcomers with approving looks.
The beauty ideal of the 60s, blonde Brigitte Bardot, is the best embodiment of the Saint-Tropez style. Some consider the beaches of the Côte d'Azur the mecca of topless style. The best time to visit here is July and August. During this period, you can see such regulars of Saint-Tropez as Joan Collins, Naomi Campbell, as well as young offspring of all royal families of Europe. Naturally, topless.
Note, however, that it is difficult to encounter the native residents of all these places half-naked on the beach. The top 'patches' are frantically torn off only by visitors (except, of course, Rio). Perhaps this is because the locals don't have time to sunbathe or are tired of it. Or maybe the reason is that they know exactly about the harm of too intense tanning.
'You need to approach tanning wisely,' notes Alexei Antoshin, head of the mammology department at one clinic, 'lying on the beach for 8 hours a day is very harmful for any person, even a dark-skinned one. But sunbathing in small amounts is beneficial and even necessary for the body.'
The effect of ultraviolet radiation on women's breast health is still debated in medical circles. However, there are points on which doctors do not argue. If you want to get a perfect even tan and not harm yourself, follow these simple rules of 'topless safety'.
1. Topless tanning is generally harmless for girls under 22-24 years old. If you do not meet this 'age limit', then before exposing your charms to the sun's rays, it is advisable to consult a mammologist or oncologist who can give specific recommendations.
2. If you already have a predisposition to various female diseases, then, unfortunately, 'naked' tanning can provoke breast diseases, having a harmful effect on the skin. Solar radiation and overheating can complicate the course of the disease. Doctors also advise against exposing dark moles that protrude above the skin to direct sunlight, especially if they have uneven pigmentation or irregular contours.
3. Even if you have no complaints about breast health, after 15 minutes of sunbathing it is better to go under a canopy or hide under an umbrella. Doctors and cosmetologists insist that people who sunbathe under a canopy get a tan of the same intensity as those who fry in the open sun. Moreover, a tan in the shade gives the skin a more even and lasting golden color than a quick one.
4. Even residents of hot countries, whose skin is well adapted to high doses of ultraviolet radiation, should not overdo topless tanning. Can you imagine what the skin of an elderly Brazilian woman looks like? That's it. Intemperance in sunbathing is fraught with the appearance of deep wrinkles in the areola area and pigmented spots all over the chest – it looks not very aesthetic. It's no secret that ultraviolet accelerates skin aging, and sun abuse leads to depletion of the body's defense mechanisms.
5. Do not expose your breasts to sunlight during the second phase of the menstrual cycle. During this period, significant changes occur in the structure of the mammary gland due to hormonal changes in the body.
6. Be sure to use a sunscreen with a high protection factor. Increase the duration of sunbathing gradually.
Tanning in a solarium should be approached no less prudently than natural tanning. Before starting the wonderful transformation into a chocolate bar, you should take care of the following.
1. For protection, it is recommended to use special plastic cone-shaped caps, breast stickers (stickinis), and strictly control the tanning schedule.
2. The service life of a low-pressure lamp is short – only 300-400 hours, after which they begin to emit rays that can lead to adverse changes in breast tissue. Unfortunately, it is impossible to determine with the naked eye how suitable a lamp is – here you will have to trust the reputation of the chosen salon.
Women whose breasts are enlarged with silicone implants should be even more attentive to their sun exposure schedule (this also applies to tanning beds). Each session needs to be shortened by 5-7 minutes. The reason here is not the implant: if it is placed correctly, the condition of breast tissue will not worsen under the sun. The precautionary measures are due to other considerations. According to experts, because the skin of the breast is stretched, each centimeter receives more sunlight than a breast without an implant.
It should also be remembered that there is a 'minority' that disapproves of topless sunbathing in public places, and in some countries public undressing is prosecuted by law.
A curious incident occurred last year. About 30 ignorant Scandinavian female tourists decided to sunbathe topless on a beach in Tirana. The surrounding people began throwing sand and stones at the stunned blondes. The Albanian law enforcement officers, who did not know English, could not even explain to the girls what was wrong, and they themselves got a good scolding from the locals for 'inaction and connivance at debauchery.' The incident ended only two hours later when they managed to find a guide who explained to the Scandinavian tourists that swimming and sunbathing topless is prohibited in Albania. The girls had to pay a substantial fine.
So remember: sunbathing without the top part of a swimsuit is prohibited on public beaches in all Muslim countries, as well as in the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and even, strangely enough, in Thailand. A large fine is imposed for violation. But in Europe, not everything is so simple. The city authorities of Paris have also banned topless sunbathing or even wearing overly revealing (thong) swimsuits on the banks of the Seine. Violators of this rule, besides indignation from advocates of strict morality, face administrative punishment in the form of a fine of €40.
And in conclusion, we provide an excerpt from a truly funny law that, nevertheless, is in effect in one of the towns in Italy. The document states: 'Women who are fat, ugly, or unattractive are forbidden to appear on the beach without the top part of a swimsuit.' This right is enjoyed only by 'young girls who are worthy of showing the beauty of the female body.' One can only sympathize with the police officers who have to enforce this law in practice.