Tanning- give me your thoughts

I used to tan in college but I wised up and take much better care of my skin now. I use SPF every day and stay out of tanning beds. I do LOVE the sun, however, and allow myself to get some color (thru my SPF) in the summer time. In the spring I start out with self-tanners (the light/medium ones) and they look just fine! People always tell me I look younger than I am, and I want to stay that way as long as possible!!

IMO tanned fat looks better than white fat.

My friend owns a tanning salon and has for 12 years (I worked for her for 5 years) and so I have done my fair share of tanning......Now these days I am trying to cut back (I will go a few sessions in June just before summer and I do tan really easy so maybe I'll go 6-8 times for 10 minutes or so) then I'll use jergens lotion the one that has bronzer in it to "maintain" my color, I wear sunscreen all summer but since I tan so easily I still will get color through the lotion but come sept I like to let myself fade out completely.

I do have access to the spray tan so I might try to do that mostly this year, but I find tanning relaxing and it gives me a few minutes peace and quiet away from the kids.

I honestly do think that if you can avoid tanning....do.

My pale skin and tanning just don't mix. I freckle like crazy (and not the cute kind...the sun-damaged kind), I burn, and I just know I would wrinkle up like a prune in no time flat. You've probably noticed that people who tan regularly start to look old a lot sooner than those who avoid the sun or tanning booths. I've been tempted to tan, but I just couldn't lie there knowing that all of those cancer-causing, skin-aging rays were soaking into my body needlessly.

Jergens natural glow in "firming". It gives you a "glow" gradually which keeps smudge marks at bay.

STAY AWAY from the tanning bed!!!! You can be skinny and tan but it won't do CRAP for you if you are unfortunate to get melanoma and are 6 feet under.... Even if you don't die from skin cancer, you will be a shriveled up prune who looks years older than you are. Just drink water, exercise and get to be best friends with self tanner and a peachy powder bronzer for your cheeks. Beautiful!

Get professional spray tan or use that Jergens healthy glow lotion. Anything else and you're putting yourself at risk for skin cancer.

I tan every year just before Spring. About 30 sessions in a tanning bed keeps me from burning during the summer of riding my motorcycle and on vacations.

I'm not concerned with the people that don't think it's a good idea. I pretty much do as I please.

Another thought.... Tanning is often used by people who want to cover up their imperfections. You've been working hard and are barely 100 lbs I doubt you have anything to hide. Also, Google Snookie and see how many guys think she looks "hot"... yeah, not many...now try Nicole Kidman, Kate Winslet, Gwen Stefani, Michele Williams...you get my point.. It will pay off someday when you have beautiful skin and all the old leather bags are jealous

Some of the comments on here are insane! Did you know that just 4 visits to a tanning salon per year can increase your risk of skin cancer by 11%? Did you know that skin cancer does not have to "run in your family" for you to get it? And what's with these "what doesn't give you cancer- lol?" comments? What does that even mean? Please don't be an idiot. Do some research, talk to your doctor. Cancer is not a joke.

Also, the idea that you are only at risk for skin cancer if you burn is utterly false. Again, speak to a doctor.

Some of the comments on here are insane! Did you know that just 4 visits to a tanning salon per year can increase your risk of skin cancer by 11%? Did you know that skin cancer does not have to "run in your family" for you to get it? And what's with these "what doesn't give you cancer- lol?" comments? What does that even mean? Please don't be an idiot. Do some research, talk to your doctor. Cancer is not a joke.

Did you know that texting while you drive causes accidents? Did you know that millions of people are out in the sun and never get cancer?

If you feel that tanning should be contraindicated in your life, stay out of the sun and/or use the proper SPF.

I'm an educated person. I weigh the risks and benefits of whatever action I care to take and act appropriately. I don't need any help making my own decisions or accepting the consequences of my action.

Thanks for your concern, though.

Once you develop a base tan by selecting a step 1 lotion, Designer Skin has a great one called Bellezza, by going about 4 times a week, you can maintain by going just twice a week with a good bronzing lotion. I'm fair skinned with an indoor job so the UV exposure is about the same for me as it is for someone who spends a little of the week outdoors. On the leather comments, Australian Gold has a product called Crystal Faces, unbelievable lotion specifically designed for facial use that virtually eliminates rough facial skin. Just be sure to moisturize properly and drink plenty of water to keep hydrated. When showering, cool the water a bit. Hot water dries the skin and causes scaling. Don't shower for up to 4hrs after tanning to maximize the bronzing effect and when drying off, try to spot dry rather that wiping to maintain even more moisture.

I have a tanning package but I am not going to go anymore and am going to try the jergens. I really do not want a ton of wrinkles, I am working too hard for this body lol.

Some of the comments on here are insane! Did you know that just 4 visits to a tanning salon per year can increase your risk of skin cancer by 11%? Did you know that skin cancer does not have to "run in your family" for you to get it? And what's with these "what doesn't give you cancer- lol?" comments? What does that even mean? Please don't be an idiot. Do some research, talk to your doctor. Cancer is not a joke.

Came here to say something along these lines!! I know too many people impacted by skin cancer. One acquaintance has a horrible prognosis due to a tiny, tiny freckle-sized spec of skin cancer metastasizing. NOT WORTH IT!

My skin naturally soaks up the sun like crazy, and I spend a lot of time outdoors, so I am worried about skin cancer in the future. I wear a lot of sunblock and hope it will help. I really wish that people saw close-to-natural-for-the-person skin tones as beautiful (because some people are naturally pale and damage themselves trying to darken, and some people are naturally dark and damage themselves trying to bleach -- WHY?!?!) If I am sporting a tan and get a compliment on it, I feel a bit worried because of cancer risks.


Even without the cancer risk, I wouldn't tan intentionally because of the aging factor. Wasn't so noticeable when I was younger, but now that I'm in my early 30s, it's really becoming apparent who among my peers has been tanning for years and who hasn't.

As many others have already said, spray tan is the way to go if you want a little colour!

1. Spray tan reacts with every skin tone differently. It does turn SOME people slightly orange, especially if you choose the darkest when you are very light skinned. It is still worth a shot because from personal experience, it looked good on me!
a. One downside is the smell. For anyone who doesn't know, self tanner is a chemical that reacts with your skin to create pigment. The reaction also causes a slight weird smell, but technology has become much better and as years go on the oder is much less intense. I notice on me personally, the smell is strongest on my hands so if I am applying a self tanning lotion, I wear gloves.
2. Bronzer.. If you invest in a good make up bronzer and apply it PROPERLY (definitely one of those 'a little goes a long way' sort of thing) you can give at least your face/neck a really healthy glow that looks natural. There are a few good youtube tutorials for this.

Don't go to a tanning bed or lay in the sun. If you are going to be in the sun for more than 10 minutes (or even less), wear sunscreen. Skin cancer is a dangerous and scary thing, and when you get older you will be covered in leathery, wrinkly skin if you don't protect it now. The biggest way to prevent wrinkles and skin aging, is using sunscreen!

Even the darkest skin needs sunscreen and can get sunburned. EVERYONE should wear sunscreen.

I' ve had cancers cut off my legs and chest......... caused from tanning in my 20s when I worried about having tanned, shapley legs. The legs do not look as nice with scars. The vanity of the perfect tan is not as important when one has a family to stay bealthy for.