Suntan Lotion Ads Are Covered Up

The sun no longer shines on 10 billboards advertising suntan lotion. They were covered up after some people complained they showed too much skin.

The promotion for California Tan Inc. featured two well-tanned women and a man, all visible from the waist up. The man was shirtless. The women had their arms crossed, leaving a viewer to wonder if they were wearing bikini tops.

Because of the complaints, Gannett Outdoor Advertising last week covered up the billboards around Grand Rapids a few days after they were put up.

“Michigan has been a particularly difficult area for us,” said Cheryl Stone, spokeswoman for California Tan of Los Angeles. “We’re not out to offend anyone. We will always need to show skin to show a tan.”