Tanning...

Snow3y
Snow3y Posts: 1,412 Member
in Chit-Chat
So i'm one of those unfortunate people who really just can't tan... I sit in the sun for 20-30 minutes, I go pink, I go red, I go slightly darker, I peel, I'm pale again.

Can anyone give me advice or something of how to tan, and KEEP the colour?? :flowerforyou:

It sorta hits my confidence quite badly, and I hate having to rely on spray tan for if an awesome outdoor event comes... I considered Melanotan II but that would probably only be last resort ever..
«1

Replies

  • Snow3y
    Snow3y Posts: 1,412 Member
    Oh and I live in South Africa, so I can get sun very easily..
  • JenAndSome
    JenAndSome Posts: 1,893 Member
    Spray tan.
  • CantStopWontStop92
    CantStopWontStop92 Posts: 165 Member
    Gurrrl you are preaching to the choir. I'm in the same boat :drinker: Honestly though I kinda really love being so fair skinned. At least for me, it looks pretty with having such dark hair. So my only advice is to rock the look! Confidence is the sexiest thing a man can have.
  • Snow3y
    Snow3y Posts: 1,412 Member
    Spray tan.

    But :c
  • Snow3y
    Snow3y Posts: 1,412 Member
    Gurrrl you are preaching to the choir. I'm in the same boat :drinker: Honestly though I kinda really love being so fair skinned. At least for me, it looks pretty with having such dark hair. So my only advice is to rock the look! Confidence is the sexiest thing a man can have.

    I'd agree, but I really can't.. I just get so jelly over all the people with the 'perfect' tan and how it makes their physiques look 10x better >_<
  • IpuffyheartHeelsinthegym
    IpuffyheartHeelsinthegym Posts: 5,573 Member
    Gurrrl you are preaching to the choir. I'm in the same boat :drinker: Honestly though I kinda really love being so fair skinned. At least for me, it looks pretty with having such dark hair. So my only advice is to rock the look! Confidence is the sexiest thing a man can have.

    I'd agree, but I really can't.. I just get so jelly over all the people with the 'perfect' tan and how it makes their physiques look 10x better >_<

    don't be jelly. I'm sure you have something others can't or don't have. Rock what you do have. Also, I know you said no, but seriously, spraytan.
  • DainaLC
    DainaLC Posts: 18,937 Member
    Have you tried a tanning bed? Get a good base tan going and you only have to get in maybe once a week to maintain it. Happy bronzing!
  • _Emma_Problema_
    _Emma_Problema_ Posts: 261 Member
    Tan = skin damage that increases eventual risk of skin cancer = removing chunks of skin or chemo

    There's nothing to be jealous of. But if you like the look you really should spray tan. Anything else is really stupid.
  • Snow3y
    Snow3y Posts: 1,412 Member
    Have you tried a tanning bed? Get a good base tan going and you only have to get in maybe once a week to maintain it. Happy bronzing!

    I'd like to try.. But have heard it's not really so healthy? Not sure though, might give it a shot before december holidays! :)
  • Grendel07
    Grendel07 Posts: 112 Member
    cute! HAHAH

    Spray tan.

    But :c
  • danger2oneself2
    danger2oneself2 Posts: 340 Member
    I don't know what all the hating on tanning is about, the guy clearly stated how he wants a tan and IMO I think tan skin looks awesome especially on women. I really miss tanning at the gym, have you ever tried a bed before? My sister is fairy fair skinned and she tanned at planet a few times a week for a few months and looked way better afterwards! Was the most tan I've ever seen her compared to just tan she got while being outdoors....maybe give beds a shot
  • davemunger
    davemunger Posts: 1,139 Member
    Tan = skin damage that increases eventual risk of skin cancer = removing chunks of skin or chemo

    There's nothing to be jealous of. But if you like the look you really should spray tan. Anything else is really stupid.

    ^^^
    This! If you really want to be convinced I can show you my 6-inch scar from melanoma surgery. Or the three, inch-long scars from "pre-cancerous moles." If you are fair skinned your are even more susceptible to skin cancer. If you get melanoma and don't catch it in time, you will die. Don't go there.
  • adiostrasero
    adiostrasero Posts: 127 Member
    omg, what is wrong with all of you?? STOP TANNING!!!!!! Every time your skin gets darker, those are your cells mutating. Let them mutate enough times ... cancer.

    Not to mention wrinkles, leather skin, moles, age spots ...

    Guh-ross.
  • whierd
    whierd Posts: 14,025 Member
    Your self-confidence is lacking because of your pale skin? Sorry bro, getting a tan won't solve that.
  • danger2oneself2
    danger2oneself2 Posts: 340 Member
    I don't think he was looking to get bashed....Pretty sure I read something about seeking advice to GET tan....everything kills you in this life.
  • FerretBuellerr
    FerretBuellerr Posts: 468 Member
    Tan = skin damage that increases eventual risk of skin cancer = removing chunks of skin or chemo

    There's nothing to be jealous of. But if you like the look you really should spray tan. Anything else is really stupid.

    and
    omg, what is wrong with all of you?? STOP TANNING!!!!!! Every time your skin gets darker, those are your cells mutating. Let them mutate enough times ... cancer.

    Not to mention wrinkles, leather skin, moles, age spots ...

    Guh-ross.

    My thoughts exactly.

    Yeah, people with really nice even tans look great, but I doubt they will look just as great when they're another 10 or 20 years older with all that skin damage.

    I can't tan worth a crap either, so I can't help you on that. Tanning beds are just asking for cancer moreso than if you sit outside all day every day (and who has time for that these days?) Agreed with the others - if it's something you really really want and can't stand to look at yourself in the mirror if you keep your paler skin, try spray tans. At least a spray tan doesn't give you cancer. Learning to love your body as it is in all it's pastiness would be even better! :smile:
  • FerretBuellerr
    FerretBuellerr Posts: 468 Member
    I don't think he was looking to get bashed....Pretty sure I read something about seeking advice to GET tan....everything kills you in this life.

    But why kill yourself faster when it's, I guess, pretty much a fact that tanning beds and exessive tanning in general cause skin cancer? :huh:

    I don't think anyone is bashing him here, just letting him know that it's not necessary and to try other methods (ie. spray tan, or developing more self confidence) that aren't cancerous.
  • DainaLC
    DainaLC Posts: 18,937 Member
    It's kinda nice to see all the younger crowd taking care of themselves. But I started tanning when I was about 20, do I look like I'm pushing 50 now?
  • MaeRenee94
    MaeRenee94 Posts: 175
    Probably gonna get a lot of beef on skin cancer haha.
    But I also have a hard time tanning, but I have figured it out. If you are ok with tanning beds than I can help!

    I tan about 1-2 times a week in a low pressure bed. I used to not use lotions but I always dissatisfied with my results. So I will tune you into my secret.
    I do an exfoliating wash once a week, than right after I go tanning. When I tan I use 4 different lotions. 2 for my body and 2 for my face, (I used to not tan my face, but I do now...unhealthy I know. But I couldn't stand having a blanket white face with a tan body.) I go for the max 20 minutes in the bed. I use a normal tanning lotion with bronzer in it as a base. I than use a "tingle" or a "sizzle" lotion on top, also containing a bronzer. I would recommend starting on only your legs with the sizzle stuff because it burns pretty intense. But I have become used to it so I use it on my hole body, sometimes my face too..that burns like hell. So beside my body lotions I use my face lotion too(apply this first as you can have sizzle stuff left over on your fingers than you have it on your face, and it's kind of terrible) My first face lotion is one that has 3spf and is for sensitive skin, it also has a bronzer in it. I than put a light effect lotion on my face, apparently the stuff in it attracts light to penetrate your skin but still protects your skin. ( I don't know, but it works)

    First Session of the week tips:
    3 minutes sitting(avoid butt lines)
    8 minutes face up
    7 minutes face down

    Second session of the week tips:
    3 minutes sitting
    3 minutes laying on right side
    3 minutes laying on left side
    5 minutes back
    6 minutes front
  • whierd
    whierd Posts: 14,025 Member
    It's kinda nice to see all the younger crowd taking care of themselves. But I started tanning when I was about 20, do I look like I'm pushing 50 now?

    Late 40s.
  • Snow3y
    Snow3y Posts: 1,412 Member
    Your self-confidence is lacking because of your pale skin? Sorry bro, getting a tan won't solve that.
    I actually suffer from BDD, unfortunately, but it's one of the things that hits me really hard and that's why I'm wishing to change it...
  • BeachGingerOnTheRocks
    BeachGingerOnTheRocks Posts: 3,927 Member
    I'm naturally pale and I live on a beach. It is my back yard. After 15 months, I have a little color in my skin that might be considered a tan (in Canada).

    SPF 50 or higher. Go outside every day for 4-5 hours at a time, and you will get some color. Keep applying the sunscreen every couple hours.

    You will get some color, not much, but some. If you burn, you'll get no color and may even become splotchy. Besides, the damage to your skin will be greater.

    I barely ever burn because I love sunscreen so much. I'm also old enough to be your mother.
  • Snow3y
    Snow3y Posts: 1,412 Member
    I don't think he was looking to get bashed....Pretty sure I read something about seeking advice to GET tan....everything kills you in this life.

    Thanks bro, yeah was pretty much seeking advice on 'safer' tanning or alternative ways to get a tan... Like they say 'too much of anything is bad for you'
  • whierd
    whierd Posts: 14,025 Member
    Your self-confidence is lacking because of your pale skin? Sorry bro, getting a tan won't solve that.
    I actually suffer from BDD, unfortunately, but it's one of the things that hits me really hard and that's why I'm wishing to change it...


    Exactly. Once you get the tan you are seeking, you will focus and be unhappy about something else. Are you currentlt in treatment for your BDD?
  • YogaLegs87
    YogaLegs87 Posts: 27
    Have you tried shortening the time you're out in the sun? IMO, the best way to get a good 'base' for somebody who burns easily would be frequent, short 'doses' of natural sunlight. Try starting with 10 (or even 5? If you burn super easy) minutes out in the sun without sunscreen every day for a week or so, then bump to 15, etc. Sunshine FTW.
  • Snow3y
    Snow3y Posts: 1,412 Member
    Your self-confidence is lacking because of your pale skin? Sorry bro, getting a tan won't solve that.
    I actually suffer from BDD, unfortunately, but it's one of the things that hits me really hard and that's why I'm wishing to change it...


    Exactly. Once you get the tan you are seeking, you will focus and be unhappy about something else. Are you currentlt in treatment for your BDD?

    Nope because my parents don't 'believe' in such things, when I mention I want something on myself to change, they state there is nothing to change and they refuse to assist in it... I have seen a few psychologists in the past but none managed to pick up the causes of my lack of confidence because I haven't ever really mentioned why.. I was often given money in sessions to 'boost' my confidence, and that's when parents said it's enough..
  • Melissa22G
    Melissa22G Posts: 847 Member
    If you live in a place with lots of sun- just go out and wear sunscreen. You'll still get tan and won't be shelling out $$ for something you can get for free.

    Spray tan also works :)
  • BrookieTrout626
    BrookieTrout626 Posts: 89 Member
    Start by exfoliating in the shower, then before you head out to get your sun on you put on some low spf tanning lotion, it sounds counterproductive but it really isn't. It helps you to get a tan without a burn (or so I'm told) the tanning lotion is usually spf 5-15. Keep your skin well hydrated by drinking lots of water and using a good lotion or aloe vera gel after you get out of the sun. That will prolong the life of your tan.
  • nicoleisme
    nicoleisme Posts: 95 Member
    Read into coconut oil! I use it for my dry skin but it's also supposed to be great for tanning. It has a natural spf so will give you a gradual tan, and is great for the skin anyway!
    Also the thing to get a tan is not sitting outside for forever and thinking you'll be dark after a few times. It's doing it everyday, a little at a time. Go outside, give 30-40 minutes to each side (less or more depending on the level of sun.) and just do it everyday. It adds up. Like eating healthy, it's all about consistency!
  • TheSlorax
    TheSlorax Posts: 2,401 Member
    Your self-confidence is lacking because of your pale skin? Sorry bro, getting a tan won't solve that.
    I actually suffer from BDD, unfortunately, but it's one of the things that hits me really hard and that's why I'm wishing to change it...

    Exactly. Once you get the tan you are seeking, you will focus and be unhappy about something else. Are you currentlt in treatment for your BDD?

    Nope because my parents don't 'believe' in such things, when I mention I want something on myself to change, they state there is nothing to change and they refuse to assist in it... I have seen a few psychologists in the past but none managed to pick up the causes of my lack of confidence because I haven't ever really mentioned why.. I was often given money in sessions to 'boost' my confidence, and that's when parents said it's enough..

    hi - I looked at your profile and it says you are attending school. it might be an option for you to seek counseling through your school's health services. it's actually a great way to get treatment without letting your parents know. one of my close friends struggles with depression and bipolar so she tells her very religious parents that she is in a study group. that way they know she's on campus, but they don't know exactly where she is. sorry to hear that your family is not supportive, but as you are an adult it's time to take care of you and get the help you need. good luck with everything. :smile:

Categories