Tanning: Yay or Nay?

I am a native South Pacific Islander. I am blessed with a natural fadeless tan. However, like fatboypup commented, I would'nt mind being poolside or on a beach with a frosty beverage.

I dont always tan but when I do its poolside with a frosty beverage .....

Gorgeous ink! sunscreen will help the color stay longer... or is that a myth? that's what i always heard anyway. my only color right now is in my armpit, so not too much sun exposure.

we buy tons of sunscreen I always have it on any visible ink when outside

Hummm....its obviously going to have to be what is best for you in the end.

Personally, I do tan occasionally. Usually twice a month in the winter. I live in "the great white north" and it gets pretty dark and cold so having a few mins (and I mean a few. I usually am only in there for 7 to 9 mins) helps me deal with SAD symptoms. Plus, having a bit of color is nice too.

I tan pretty easy so if you a prone to burning I would start off very slowly. Getting burned is a bad, bad thing. I read a while ago that every time you get a bad sunburn it doubles your chance of skin cancer. Now, I don't know where this info came from or how accurate it is but its something that's always stuck with me. Burning= Bad.

Best advice: Do what is right for you. If you do decide to go pick a salon that has helpful and informed workers. Start out slow. If the person at the salon is bright orange and tells you that you can tan for 20 mins. no problem on your first visit then run away! lol

Good Luck

I get sickly pale, I just use that Jergens natural glow gradual stuff. I heard that the chemicals in artificial tanners put you at greater risk for skin cancer, so when I'm going to be outside I always wear sunscreen. To me as skin cancer and diseases run in my family it's just not worth it.
Tanning DOES hide stretch marks and makes me look thinner (especially in pictures) but it wouldn't be worth it at all to spend hours in tanning beds increasing my skin damage. It def. won't be worth it when I'm 50 and covered in wrinkles. The Jergens stuff doesn't streak that badly, I already put on lotion after the shower all the time anyway... so it's not an extra step. The natural glow "light" color also looks good on me - I'm very fair but I have golden undertones, dark hair, and blue eyes. I don't ever think I look "tan" just... I know that I'm not going to be mistaken for a vampire.

But seriously, thanks for everyone's words. I have skin cancer in my family too, due to the fair skin and everything, but I didn't think tanning once in a while would be so incredibly detrimental!

I"m just going to throw this out there. But when they diagnosed me with Melanoma the doctor told me you can have one bad burn as a kid and get skin cancer. I mean that might be an extreme. But I have a family history of skin cancer and was diagnosed when I was 25 with Melanoma. If you are pale skinned it is not worth it! I promise you!

I tan on beds when im ging on holiday and know my skin is going to be in a lot of hot sunlight. Other than that i an on a thursday night i swear by benefit tanning lotion and use it with a tanning glove

Thanks for the suggestions about carrots & tomatos!! I need to get into the tanning salon before my trip to Hawaii. Was thinking about starting tomorrow Don't wanna burn on holiday...

I don't see the problem in trying tanning in a tanning salon. Just make sure your skin doesn't get sunburnt and ask for advice!

Another advice; eat lots of carrots or tomatoes. I tan a lot more and deeper when I eat a lot of carotenes!

Oh, and always use good skin care products in advance and afterwards. Make sure your skin is very hydrated! I use skin oils. I'm fortunate enough to be naturally dark-skinned. I tan very easily...

I think the best look is natural. I'm pale and I always wanted to look tan, but it's not worth it. They make really good bronzers that make you look even and glowing. I think Bare Minerals make one.

I'd try spray on tan...Remember, if you can't tone it, tan it!

If you have pale skin that doesn't really tan very dark then sun beds probably wont do a lot for you other than damage.
I'm White fair skinned English/Irish with blue eyes. I have pale skin but can slightly tan/pinken on holiday in the sun.
Going on a sunbed twice a week for a month sometimes for long intervals did nothing. I once went on for a long time as I was frustrated and just burnt my bum. And I dont think I even sound as pale as you.

You need to find a decent self tanner, as it will cover up your stretch marks better than a natural tan. Pay good money and get a decent spray tan done - fake bake or st tropez, dont go for the cheap £10 salon own one. There are thousands of good looking non streaky fake tans out there, me and my girlfriends use them all the time. I like St Tropez, and this spray fine mist one by loreal in medium. But i would recommend going to get a spray done professionally and opting for a light colour - do NOT go for 'medium' or 'dark' as you WILL be orange!