Should I start tanning?!

IronPhyllida

Do it! Wear some spf, and don't lay out for hours. Be smart about it--it's all about moderation (like eating and exercising!)

Oh yeah and dont layer yourself with olive oil

CometMeebru

I like to maintain a caramel color year round.

darrensurrey

Pale skin is beautiful, too. As is black skin and, well, blue skin. Not sure about green skin, though.</specieist>

wozkaa

Good luck whatever you choose. If you have pale skin like me, you might end up with cancer if you sun tan. You might not, there are a lot of factors that will determine your outcome.

I had my first cancer cut out of my face when i was about 23. The next when I was 26. I was young enough that the tiny stitches healed well and although they scarred, it's not a big deal unless you look for it.
I'm in Australia, we have a lot of skin cancer. My parents were careful, always had sunscreen and hats on me as a kid.

It is not the same as having an overfull, distended stomach - as another person stated.

Do what you will, knowing the risks. I would get a fake tan if I wanted a different tinted skin.

blueboxgeek

I've used tanning beds in the past but a couple of months ago I had a mole go "funny". I had to have a biopsy and the week I had to wait for the results was the worst week ever! I was so worried.

Honestly at the end of the day it's up to you. What we say on here probably won't sway your decision. All I will say is PLEASE read up on the risks and make sure you are well informed. I was amazed at how much more at risk of skin cancer you are by using these things. I had no idea they were so bad and certainly won't even be using them again and taking much more care in the sun.

marshallexi

Tanning not only causes cancer (this has been prove many, many times.) but also wrinkles.
I'll take my chances looking pasty and young, thanks.

THIS!

I'm pale but GODDAMNIT I look young!

bd0027

Pale skin is beautiful, too. As is black skin and, well, blue skin. Not sure about green skin, though.</specieist>

The blue family from Kentucky appreciates your support.

summertime_girl

I bought an airbrush. I'll tan that way. I prefer to be tan too, but I already had one skin cancer removed from my nose. I still am outside all the time, but I use sunscreen now. Not the baby oil I used to use.

somefitsomefat

I think it would be a mistake not to tan. Your life will improve by about 2% according to my calculations.

CassandraBurgos83

I haven't read other peoples remarks, but as a white chick (the majority of us) who tan DO NOT age well. Unless of course you have a good amount of play money to fix what you've messed up. I'm almost 32 and most of the people I went to HS with tanned like crazy and look like they are in their 40's. I do like the look of having a sun tan glow, but I slather on the SPF to preserve what I have left. You have beautiful skin and in my opinion you should keep it this way. I just have issues with aging and looking old.
PS. My friend has an organic spray tan salon and the tans do not look orange, but they only last 5-6 days at best.

ImpishVanity

I enjoy tanning. I never get super tan, but a few minutes a couple times a week give me a sun-kissed glow, makes me feel and look good, and honestly EVERYTHING gives you cancer anymore. I can't live my life in fear. There are plenty of people who tan and never get cancer, people who never "go tanning" and still get it. So as much as it PROBABLY increases your chances, it's NOT going to 100% give you cancer.

I live by the rule -all things in moderation.

Stop living in fear, and WORSE - STOP trying to make everyone else as fearful as you. Instead, maybe guide her on a healthier way to do what she wants.

LauraCarlson86

Spray tan!!!!

eddiesmith1

Is getting sun burn harmful and potentially dangerous? Yes.

Is excessive sun likely to prematurely age your skin? Yes.

Is a moderate tan, gained slowly and without burning harmful? No.

Should people with a very fair skin type take more precautions than someone with skin that tans easily? Yes.


This any amount of sun is harmful, wear sunscreen all year round band-wagon has got ridiculous, no wonder so many people are vitamin D deficient...

(Aged 54 and not turned into a leather couch just yet.)

I tend to agree
I no longer tan intentionally though (and haven't really for decades) When I was young though I worked outdoors a lot and always had a dark golden tan for most of the summer,
I don't burn particularly easily though - My wife OTOH burns in a short time and has never had a tan (a couple of burns as a kid)
don't overdo it, If you are going to do it may as well do it for free and use the sun as opposed to tanning beds and max the Vitamin D
53 and no major wrinkles (and I smoked for 40 years as well quit last summer - another thing that can age you badly I've been lucky)

livelaughlove384

Tanning is not healthy. Be proud of your pale skin. The statistics are overwhelming of the ratio to tanning to skin cancer. If you go tanning 100 x you are essentially guaranteed to get skin caner. Do the math....is it worth it?!

ImpishVanity

Tanning is not healthy. Be proud of your pale skin. The statistics are overwhelming of the ratio to tanning to skin cancer. If you go tanning 100 x you are essentially guaranteed to get skin caner. Do the math....is it worth it?!

And what does "go tanning" mean, exactly? She's talking about going outside. Should no one ever go outside 100 times in their life because they're going to get cancer?

TR0berts

This thread is officially off the rails.

I don't believe it was ever on the rails.

ChrisR0se

I work in a tanning salon and trust me there are some who make leather an understatement! It's moderation. ..I tan once every 1-2 weeks and still look like a 20 something. Moderation is the key to life!

mccindy72

Everyone has a different opinion about this - it's really up to you. If you tan a lot (especially in a tanning bed) you'll increase your risk of skin cancer, and end up with thick, leathery skin and wrinkles.
I've always tanned a bit outside in the summer, enough to get some color. I use tanning lotion with about 4-6 SPF because I'm pretty fair skinned. I moisturize my skin three-four times a day and always right after tanning. I NEVER tan my face but use a tanning cream for that. Just because I want to avoid wrinkles there if I can. I don't have leathery skin at all or wrinkles, at 41. I don't have skin cancer ( I do have brain cancer but that's completely unrelated to tanning).
So, if you want a bit of color, go ahead and do some tanning outside, just use a good tanning lotion with some SPF in it so you don't burn. Start out slow and gradually increase your time so you get some good color without burning.

cns94

You already have beautiful skin, but at the end of the day it's your decision as long as you take all factors into consideration. Tanning is okay if you do it in moderation. Everyone knows that there are obvious risks for cancer. It's really rather naive to say that there isn't risk. I'm 20 years old, and I go tanning regularly. You can see from my profile pic that I'm not rocking that Ohio Winter White skin. Do I worry sometimes about the safety of my skin? Yes of course. Do I tan excessively or even every day? No way. If you are just looking for some color maybe first opt for a tan out of a bottle. That's what I used to do. A lot of people only view tanning as a way for some skin color, but personally I tan FOR my skin health (as crazy as that may sound to all anti-tanners). Tanning provides extra vitamin D which is healthy for the skin and promotes anti-depressive moods. It also prevents and clears breakouts. My purpose is that it is a well-known, proven medical treatment for psoriasis and eczema as an alternate to taking injected medication with some rather scary side effects, but when I'm tan I also feel more confident in myself. I never let what people say about my tanning habits bother me because I made the informed, thought-out decision on my own. Do your research and know your options is what I advise to you because like anything there are pros and cons.

Howdoyoufeeltoday

I say go for it! Keep an eye on the uv and when it's strongest and try to go out before or after that. Don't stay out too long/don't fall asleep/cover your eyes and lips and sensitive areas if you're out for a while. Don't dry yourself out like a raisin but I say do what you want! I do it all the time in summer. Used to save me having to buy foundation for like 4 months! Know your body, if you get too hot go inside. If you notice a spot you've never seen before go to a doctor. and try to avoid tan-lines :P

GiddyupTim

What's wrong with pale?
I live in California too, and I have seen what advance tanning and prolonged exposure to sun does to skin.
On the other hand, my neighbor is very fair, with red hair, and she takes serious precautions all the time to avoid sun, and she looks amazing at almost 50 years. What that means is: She has looked great, and will continue to look great for a lot longer than a tan lasts!

Alassonde

I have extremely pale skin too. My dermatologist said that people with naturally pale skin are at a higher risk for melanoma and I should wear sunscreen always, so I've decided I like pale skin! I've already had to have one questionable spot removed from my face and I've never tanned in my life.

Even if you're not worried about cancer, tanning does make you look older. I know a woman the same age as me (I'm 42) who looks at least 50, and it's obvious that she tans. Meanwhile I don't look older than 30 and I get comments all the time that people can't believe I have a son in college.

JoanneC1216

I prefer a tanning bed because unlike when I was in my teens and 20's, I don't have time to lie around in the sun. The most I tan for is 10-12 minutes in a tanning bed in May so that I feel better when I wear a tank and shorts. I don't do it more than three days a week to start and lessen it to two til the end of June.

Being that I am 49, I cover my face and chest with a towel in the booth and just focus on my arms and legs.

goldthistime

My sister-in-law is dying from melanoma. Heart breaking. And STILL my daughters want to tan. They both have gorgeous porcelain skin. I would advise you as I advise them. Use the spray booths.

steph6467

Go for it, tan

I was going to post "inb4 all the cancer crying irrits" but they beat me here

I'm sure you'll be this cavalier when it's your wife or daughter someday. Oh to be 21...

Nah, not really. I don't treat the sun like it's a killing machine like yourself and others. Yes, the sun can be bad if you get too much of it and don't take precautions. Just like eeeeevery other thing in the world.

There's a difference between 'catching a tan' and 'roasting in the sun' If I were to stay away from everything that could potentially harm me, I'd live an extremely sad and pointless life.

Tell me, Steph, do you stick to a high fat, extremely low carb and low protein diet, because it's studied to be a fighter of cancer?

Yes, I choose not add unnecessary health risks for the sake of vanity to my life. I'd rather be pale and 2% (10%, 20%, 100%.. whatevs) less attractive and reduce my skin cancer risk by ANY percent. I do continue to take necessary risks like eating and breathing air because I don't have a choice. See the difference?

I was not criticizing your opinion simply because you are 21, but rather observing that you are young enough that you probably have not been in the unfortunate and very painful situation of watching someone you care about fighting cancer. If you HAVE been in that circumstance, then certainly you know that no tan, no vanity in the world is worth increasing the risk by even one tenth of a percent. Cancer is awful.

mank32

Is getting sun burn harmful and potentially dangerous? Yes.

Is excessive sun likely to prematurely age your skin? Yes.

Is a moderate tan, gained slowly and without burning harmful? No.

Should people with a very fair skin type take more precautions than someone with skin that tans easily? Yes.

do i have very fair skin? yes
do i wear sunscreen religiously in the spring/summer? YES
do i spend ridiculous amounts of time outside (longboarding) in the spring/summer sun? YES
do i still end up with a moderate tan, gained slowly, without burning? YES
do i like this look? F YES
am i worried about cancer from it? not really

'tanning' for me is a managable by-product of the primary reason i spend time in the sun, not an end in and of itself.

steph6467

Is getting sun burn harmful and potentially dangerous? Yes.

Is excessive sun likely to prematurely age your skin? Yes.

Is a moderate tan, gained slowly and without burning harmful? No.

Should people with a very fair skin type take more precautions than someone with skin that tans easily? Yes.

do i have very fair skin? yes
do i wear sunscreen religiously in the spring/summer? YES
do i spend ridiculous amounts of time outside (longboarding) in the spring/summer sun? YES
do i still end up with a moderate tan, gained slowly, without burning? YES
do i like this look? F YES
am i worried about cancer from it? not really

'tanning' for me is a managable by-product of the primary reason i spend time in the sun, not an end in and of itself.

Right. You're naturally making a risk/benefit analysis. Is taking the risk (mitigated by sunscreen use) worth it for the benefit of joy and good health from participating in an outdoor sport you love? ABSOLUTELY. This is totally different then laying out or going to a tanning salon solely for the purpose of aesthetics.

And of course everyone has the right to do their own risk/benefit analysis and obviously some people believe looks are worth the risk. Not my choice, but OP can decide for herself.

TheRoadDog

Every year, for the last 2 decades, I start tanning about this time of the year. Couple times a week in a tanning bed. I do it so I won't burn while on vacation and/or out on motorcycle runs.

Burning is far worse for you than tanning.

I'm 60 in a couple of months and there is nothing wrong with my skin. No excessive wrinking or leather-like skin.

Everybody is different. I'm sure there are people that get skin cancer from tanning, but it is just as likely that a lot of people are genetically predisposed to it.

tapirfrog

No, you should not start tanning.

sillyvalentine

Want a cancer free, sun free, leather free tan? Rub cocoa powder and oil into your skin. It's healthy and it's natural and it gives you an even tan. It doesn't last all summer but cocoa isn't that expensive.