Tanning- give me your thoughts

keiraev

I am 33 and I used sunbeds quite regularly in my twenties, I used them a handful of times before my wedding 3 years ago, and then for some reason I went on them AGAIN last year prior to going on holiday because I was so pale.

I look so much better with a tan, being blonde and blue-eyed, but i have decided that this summer no matter how strongly I feel the urge I am going to steer well clear. I might not even know the damage I have done until much later in my life, but I am constantly checking my moles- of which I have LOADS (another stupid reason why wish I had never used a sunbed).

This summer it's going to be Spray tan all the way and that is that. They are a lot better if you get them done professionally and they make you look just as slim as a "real" tan does.

ErinBeth7

I tan, but only in the spring months starting in mid March into June. I usually quit sometime in June because I'm already outside a lot and don't need to be any darker. It helps me not sunburn. I don't tan year round. I don't see the point in the fall or winter. I know a lot of people disagree with tanning beds and a lot of people like them. Its personal preference. I started about 3 years ago because I felt it would give me a confidence boost.

Snapplejac

Don't do it Your skin will thank you for it in the long run!

betaleonis

Tanning got rid of my eczema. True story!

missprincessgina

I get the airbrush spray tan. The woman I go to does a great job, I look tan and natural. It lasts about 7 - 10 days for me since I work out alot and need to shower each day. Fewer showers and lots of lotion helps keep the spray tan on longer.

strunkm4

I used to be a tan fanatic. I would tan all the time. About 2 years ago I got diagnosed with acute melnoma on my back. It was a real wake up call. I've been melanoma free for about 10 months now.

I've switched over to spray tanning. I absolutely love having some color on me, and the place that I get spray tanned does a phenomenal job. I've had people come up and ask me how long I tan for, etc etc and they cannot beleive it when I tell them it's a spray tan.

If you feel you need a tan, spray tan!

yoovie

6 minutes after gym sess- love it

OnceAndFutureAthlete

I am pale, too. And don't tan much at all. As an early teen, I tried, but basically threw in the towel at about age 14. Since then I've been a high SPF girl (family has a house in Florida) and daily SPF on the face. Figured I'd just have to wait for delayed gratification.

I did try a tanning bed at one time (a few sessions) but it really didn't do anything, so I gave it up.

I did a professional spray tan once - in preparation for going to FL so I wouldn't look too white on the beach - and it worked great, but I walked into work afterwards and literally no one recognised me!

I agree that you can see definition better with a tan, and that if you're overweight, you look better darker than pale, so I guess I'm resigned to losing the weight.

The good news - I recently turned 50 and most people guess I'm in my mid-late 30s - hardly a wrinkle!
(And my new clean diet has helped my skin a lot too.)

dad106

I started tanning off and on when I was college.. Mainly when I was preparing for spring break or w/e.. would stop and start again in spring. Got home from college and tanned at my gym January through Aug, and then just started up again at a different salon yesterday.

Personally, I love tanning.. and get checked out every year to make sure nothing is out of the ordinary. I have a lot of moles on my body.. it's just how it is and I've had 7 taken off and checked.. and so far none have turned out to be cancer.

I figure that as long as I get checked, and I don't over do it. I'll be ok. Everything in life seems to be capable of killing you now a days, so might as well enjoy it!

Rae6503

This is my favorite:

http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=139764&catid=274393&aid=338666&aparam=139764

LoraF83

Spray tan, or lotion, YES! If you want some color, go for it!

Cancer beds? NOOOOOOOOO Stay out of those. My dad just had a chunk cut out of his leg, for a mole that was just smaller than a pencil easer, they took out a piece of flesh the shape of a football and four inches long. NO thank you.

The lighter you are, the higher your risk. SPF is your best friend!!!

^This! My step-mom has a piece of her nose missing and still has to go regularly for treatments for her skin cancer. She spent years worshipping the sun.
I am very pale but I've learned to live with it! But, I'm considering spray tan this year, to help "celebrate" my weight loss. If you go to a good salon and get an experienced technician, it can look wonderful!

kdcj17

I don't do tanning beds anymore. My irish, very pale skin takes a long time to even develop color, and to me it's not worth the risk. I also have quite a few tattoos that I would rather not ruin with the exposure. I have tried a couple drug-store spray tans that work nicely. I heard the JWOWW [yeah, yeah, yeah...LOL!!!] brand works REALLY good. I want to try it. I've never tried spray-tanning at a salon, either, I'd be down to do that also.

ErinBeth7

I don't do tanning beds anymore. My irish, very pale skin takes a long time to even develop color, and to me it's not worth the risk. I also have quite a few tattoos that I would rather not ruin with the exposure. I have tried a couple drug-store spray tans that work nicely. I heard the JWOWW [yeah, yeah, yeah...LOL!!!] brand works REALLY good. I want to try it. I've never tried spray-tanning at a salon, either, I'd be down to do that also.

JWOWW really does work!!! Its great lotion. I use it :-)

StatutoryGrape

I'm super-pale and I like it that way--no tanning for me, ever. I see girls who are years younger than me but look way older than I am because they tan and already have wrinkles...I'd rather not damage my skin.

amandabateman411

I hate this subject! I do NOT understand why people think you have to be tan to be beautiful. I have an albino baby girl and she will never ever have even a slight tan and she is seriously the prettiest thing ever! If I knew how to load pics I would. You can be pale and beautiful just pick the right colors to compliment your skin tone!

hillbillyannie

Both of my parents have had skin cancer, not from sunning but just by everyday activities. It really hurts me when I see people who use a tanning bed and look like they have been cooked. If you want to see sun damage go under a black light and it will show up.

AnninStPaul

Hello all!

"... That aside... I've noticed I look less "glowing" "healthy" and actually look sick. Actually ive been told i look like someone who has a flu in pictures. ..."

Going the opposite direction - are there certain colors or styles in which you feel and look fabulous? It could be that you are wearing colors (including haircolor) that are just wrong for your skin. I look like death in tangerine, this seasons hot color, and [based upon the compliments] fabulous in peacock blue, so I just skip the orangey sections of the store and focus on what is likely to work on me.

5kidsforme

I just don't tan. In the sun or on the beds. I'm trying to embrace my paleness and just let it be. On occasion I use a lotion at home on my legs but that's it. Can't get the rest of me to look right using a self-tanner.

jobelle217

I used to tan when I was younger!!! LOVED the way it made me look. But it's not worth it....the increased risk of skin cancer you would be getting in order to maintain that look.....

I did tan just before my wedding for a couple weeks, gradually....it was worth it that one time....but it's just not sustainable.

lilredsmom02

I work for skin cancer doctor!! DO NOT DO THE TANNING BEDS!!! It is worse than laying in the sun! Just use sunscreen and dont burn! You will get some color. I use to do it all but now with what I have seen CUT OUT of people....sun screen sun screen sun screen!!!!