A random rant on paleness...

MandaJean83

I just feel like complaining for a couple of minutes about the fact that my skin is lily white, and no matter how much weight I lose, paleness always makes people look less skinny than they actually are...anyone else ever notice this?

Now, I'm not one for tanning...I've never set foot in a tanning bed or gotten a spray tan and I'm going on 29 years old this year. A large percentage of my friends tan at least once a week, sometimes up to three times a week, just to look better. But I know the possible long term effects on your skin, and it's just not worth the risk to me, personally! My family has a huge incidence of melanoma, so I know what I'm up against if I were to start.

But seriously, I just wish I could be naturally slightly tan!!! It hides your figure flaws so much better!! *End rant*

pinuplove

Take comfort in the fact that you aren't putting yourself at risk for skin cancer and premature aging

CMmrsfloyd

I'm pretty pale, too. I don't tan, I burn, peel, and then turn white with new freckles. LOL I lost my mind in highschool and tried tanning several times, no telling the amount of damage I did to my skin, never again. Now it's high-SPF sunscreen and lots of shade for me. I take comfort in knowing that staying away from the sun will *hopefully* mean less wrinkles for me when I'm older. And hopefully since I don't do that craziness that I tried in highschool anymore, hopefully avoiding it from now on will put me at a lower risk for skin cancers than people that tan continuously.

I have considered getting one of those lotions that has just a tiny hint of coloring to it, that builds up over time the more you use it. Seems like that would be the most natural looking way to try and get just a little color, since it's not a 'all at once' fakey tan. IDK. Might try one out a couple of times with the summer coming up. I haven't worn a bathing suit out in public in YEARS but now with all the weightloss I just might this year. Don't want to completely blind people unless it's with my newfound awesomeness. LOL

dls06

I never liked baking in the sun. At the beach, I'm the one under the umbrella and hat. Just had my check up with the Dermatologist and she said I looked great for 56. Go me. :drinker:

muddyventures

I like my pale natural skin, I don't tan and I don't wear makeup (maybe once or twice a week, and lightly). I'm no beauty queen, but I just think this is the way I was born and I enjoy it. I'm not super confident either, I just like plain.

SueInAz

After you've been to a few high school reunions and keep getting compliments on how young you still look, trust me, you'll be happier with your pale skin. I've spent some time in the sun (it's unavoidable in Tucson) but limit it as much as possible and wear sunscreen every day. At 45 I have almost no wrinkles on my face. I know it's part genetics but I look at my friends who tanned into their 20s and 30s and the difference is obvious.

I'd suggest the tanning lotions that are out there. There are some good ones. The tan goes on gradually and it doesn't look fake as long as you're using the light color one and don't try to go dark.

mommared53

You said "just to look better"? Look better to who? I guess it's a matter of opinion but I used to work with women who tanned really often like that and I don't believe they looked better at all. Personally I like being pale but I think you're right, it doesn't do much to disquise the flaws. Maybe try tanning lotion?

ElizabethRoad

paleness always makes people look less skinny than they actually are...anyone else ever notice this?

No, can't say that I have noticed this.

SoDamnHungry

I also look like a ghost. You can see blue veins across my chest and upper arms if I wear a tank top. =( It's lame. It'd be nice to have just a slightly less pale skin tone.

Lauren8239

I'm so white I glow in the dark. I freckle, heavily in the the summer. My hair bleaches from blonde to almost white from the sun. I burn.........I have to be so careful. My boyfriend loves to touch my skin because it is so soft.........(his words), no sun damage. I look younger than my years. I prefer health over taking risks by tanning or putting fake slop over my skin. I'm 47.

d5d14m66

I'm envious of women with "pale" complexions -- I prefer the terms "peaches and cream" or "alabaster."

I'm pretty fair, but tan easily. My tanning method growing up was to spend 4 hours in the sun (wearing baby oil in lieu of sunscreen) and the next morning, my pink skin had already turned tan. Great, right? My freshman year in college, I had my end-of-summer tan by Spring Break. Cool, huh?

Well, a melanoma diagnosis at age 25, followed by 2 surgeries, changed my opinion on the so-called "healthy" tan. I'm blessed to have caught it early. And people tell me I look much younger than 45. Who needs wrinkle cream, when you haven't spent your life "tanning your hide" in the sun?

One note, for anyone who avoids lots of sun exposure over several years -- ask your doctor if you need to take Vitamin D supplements (a simple blood test will tell). After my diagnosis, I reduced the amount of sun I got, and ended up needing therapeutic doses of Vitamin D in order to protect my bones. I'm not complaining -- I'd rather take a pill every day than have skin cancer.

sportyredhead01

I feel your pain.
I'm a natural redhead so I will never tan either, my skin doesn't have the ability!
My profile pic is how I look when I'm at the beach actually---sunglasses, a hat, and baby sunblock. I've had a few weird moles removed as well that keeps me from ever trying to tan, EVER.

Just keep in mind that your skin is going to look awesome later on in life while everyone else will look like a worn leather purse.

That's my motivation!

LorinaLynn

By the end of the summer, I might be one shade darker... like my makeup will be "Ivory" instead of "Bisque." :laugh:

I love being pale. I love the contrast between my dark hair and my light skin.

sassylilmama

<<<notice my pasty white legs. I know how ya feel.

CoryIda

I am not a fan of my pale white skin, but I would look ridiculous with a tan, so I will just deal with it.

♥Faerie♥

I think pale skin is beautiful, you should be proud that you have such a lovely skin color♥

grrrlface

I'm pale too and I love it. I agree it makes the lumps stand out but I'm not too fussed, the worst thing for me is in summer when I finally decide to get the legs out... People say they reflect light, they're that white!! So I just put a pair of tights on and I'm sorted. :bigsmile:

kim_mc

I too, am white as white can be and never even get a hint of color except red from the sun. ALL self tanners make me into an orange person which is much worse looking than the whiteness.

I tried the tanning bed thing in high school, but even a few minutes in there and I'd be overcooked, fire red, and looking like a lobster!

Even after losing weight, shorts still look gross on me since my paleness doesn't hide ANY imperfections. If my legs could just get a hint of color, it would look so much nicer! But they won't.

I think we just have to accept that we will never be tan or even close and just try to work on what we can :sad:

La_Amazona

I have an awesome natural tan that looks great on my legs. (especially when I grease them up with baby oil when I go out :devil: )

But I'm attracted to pale skin.. Mmm it's dreamy!!!! I love pale men!!!

kanmuri

I'm so white, I'm almost transparent, especially at this time of the year. For me it's not te weight thing that annoys me, it's being continually asked if I'm ok because I look pale. Yes, I'm fine, thank you!!! Story of my life.

brittanidigby

I love being pale! Pale skin = Sexy. Tan = yuck.