Help ... tanning salon crisis!

[rainbow]

Okay, so I decided to ignore the cancer risks (vanity prevailed) and booked a few visits to a tanning salon in the weeks b4 we visit Disney. My first time ever. Not to get too tanned -- just to avoid blinding fellow tourists with the pasty white glow from my Canadian winter-white legs.

The first visit two days ago (10 mins in the booth) was no biggie -- didn't even really notice a difference. Went for my second visit today (another 10 mins) and I'm feeling and looking a little burned. Is this normal? I feel like I fell asleep in the sun.

Anyone else ever do the tanning salon before a trip south. Any idea if this is normal or is God punishing me for ignoring my health?

Please, no lectures ... I've had my share already from DS, my sister, best friend.

 

[stingmom]

if you did not use suntan oil or lotion with any SPF, then you got a sunburn. remember, you are getting rapid, concentrated UV rays just inches from your body. those ten minutes compute to hours in the sun, not to mention you said you are fair-skinned. take it as a lesson learned and use sun tan lotion/spray with at least SOME SPF in it and avoid those tanning beds...

 

[karynnix]

I felt burnt everytime that I went! I will "sink in" very quickly. Make sure that you keep moisturized and don't let your skin dry out or it could peel.

 

[stingmom]

PS...with the hundred of thousands of people in the parks, chasing after kids and running to the next ride, sometimes you don't see your own feet, so I doubt there will be one person looking to point out your set of "pasteys" lol. Have fun and take pics from the waist up if pale legged pics concern you

 

[Alice Sr.]

Yes, that is a normal response but not the desired one. Get some Aloe Vera gel and smear it on every 15 minutes or so and by the next morning you should be pretty good. If you decide to go back give yourself a good week after the burn subsides. My 1st time out in the spring I will usually do 10-15 wait a week and then go back and do 5 minutes less than what I started with (and I don't burn easily). Then I'm ok to go up in 5 minute increments to 20 minutes.

 

[Alice Sr.]

PS...with the hundred of thousands of people in the parks, chasing after kids and running to the next ride, sometimes you don't see your own feet, so I doubt there will be one person looking to point out your set of "pasteys" lol. Have fun and take pics from the waist up if pale legged pics concern you

Or try a sunless tanner. I have used Estee Lauder and have been very pleased with the results. At least cover your face, I don't want you to have to spend thousands of dollars like myself to reverse the damage.

 

[TeresaMc]

The tanning process continues for up to 72 hours after exposure. I would not recommend going more than every other day. And starting at about 5-7 minutes your first time and making increases of 1-2 minutes each session after that. It should take about 8-10 sessions to get a base tan. I also recommend using a salon quality tanning lotion, as these contain amino acids and tyrosine to help stimulate your melanin production so you tan quicker and are less likely to burn, also salon lotions have antioxidents, free radical scavengers and mositurizers to help avoid fine lines and wrinkle...wouldn't want you to get the leather look ....although that takes lots and lots of sessions.

 

[Alice Sr.]

The tanning process continues for up to 72 hours after exposure. I would not recommend going more than every other day. And starting at about 5-7 minutes your first time and making increases of 1-2 minutes each session after that. It should take about 8-10 sessions to get a base tan. I also recommend using a salon quality tanning lotion, as these contain amino acids and tyrosine to help stimulate your melanin production so you tan quicker and are less likely to burn, also salon lotions have antioxidents, free radical scavengers and mositurizers to help avoid fine lines and wrinkle...wouldn't want you to get the leather look ....although that takes lots and lots of sessions.

I didn't know they would help you not to burn.

 

[TeresaMc]

Oh and my other reccommendation.......

even if you do get a base tan in a bed before you go....SPF, SPF, SPF being outside all day in an uncontrolled environment of UV exposure is WAY more dangerous than a controlled exposure in a bed!!!!

 

[TeresaMc]

I didn't know they would help you not to burn.

Salon lotions do not contain SPF and will not stop you from buring but the ingredients help you produce melanin(the tanning agent in your skin that oxodizes when struck by UV and creates you bodies natural defense against the sun, a tan) if you do not produce melanin fast enough you will burn.

 

[Bird-Mom]

being outside all day in an uncontrolled environment of UV exposure is WAY more dangerous than a controlled exposure in a bed!!!!

Teresa, do you have any documentation or reference for this? UV rays are UV rays, and I think it is irresponsible to say that "controlled" exposure is less dangerous. That doesn't make sense to me. There is a time difference between the bed and all day outside, but I don't see how the UV exposure is any different, less the length of time.

OP, I would go with the aloe vera or some other after sun first aid. I've never done a tanning booth, and I am proud to be a member of the "pale is beautiful" club. I do, however, recommend lathering up with sunscreen when at the world or outside anywhere.

We had a scare when my dh, who was a baby oiled sun worshipper, had a suspicious spot on his ear. Fortunately, it wasn't cancerous. Now it is sunscreen for all-no exceptions.

 

[mantaz]

I know how you feel about those white legs. I won't wear shorts till I get some color on mine. I started tanning mine also and thats all I mainly tan. I just sit in a chair and stick my legs under. Make sure you are using a good tanning lotion. If you have any concerns then ask the people at the salon. Mine are really nice and helpful. Since it sounds like ten minutes was too much then drop down to 5-7 minutes and work your way back up. You can also ask about an after tanning moisturizer or keep plenty of lotion on now. Good luck with the tanning and just be careful and never, ever hesitate to ask the salon attendent!!

Angela

 

[txgirl]

I am also of the "fair is beautiful" club, but have gone to tanning beds many times in the past. I buy minutes rather than months and I go in very very small increments, like 5 minutes 1st time, 5 minutes 2nd time two days later, 6 minutes 3rd time, etc. etc.

If I have no sun at all and go to the beach I will burn every time, even with sunscreen. I know uv rays can be dangerous, especially if you get burned but I feel like I am being as safe as possible with minimal exposure to the tanning beds making sure to not get burned. After 6-7 visits (all 10 minutes or less) I then slowly make my way up to 12-15 minutes. THEN with a very light base tan I can go to the beach or pool with sunscreen on and not burn to a crisp!

Good luck!

 

[TeresaMc]

Bird-mom,
You are correct UV is UV but you have no way of telling how many MED's (minimal eurythmal dose) of UV rays you get outside. Lots of things are factored in when using natural sunlight, proximity to the equator, time of the year, time of the day, smog and cloud cover whereas a tanning bed emits a constant dose and the dose of UVB is controlled since UVB is the ray that will burn you.
I did reccommend using SPF always when outdoors, tan or no tan. Burning is bad and only causes skin damage. A tan is your bodies natural defense against the sun and when achieved in the proper manner it will aid in not burning not prevent it.
The OP was wanting to achieve a tan for cosmetic reasons (no winter-white legs). My advise still stands...moderation, moderation, moderation and when outdoors SPF, SPF, SPF. No tanning is "safe" but there are tons of things that we do every day that is not safe, even breathing natural unfiltered air (which is full of contaminants) and walking across the street can be dangerous.
And yes the a bit of the profits from 4 tanning salons will be funding my next Disney vacation and I will be tan but I will tan slowly and in moderation while using good skin care products.

 

[savs]

I go every Spring to the tanning beds. I ahve too otherwise I will burn ALL summer. I think you need to drop down in minutes. Usualy just starting out you start with 6-7 minutes and work you way up from there. I am just now getting to 10-12 minutes and I've been going for about a month now.

I'm not sure if your tanning salon has the upgraded beds that are a little more expensive to use and they tend to be more powerful (Turbo, Matrix). But because there is something special about them, you can go in them twice the amount of time (14 minutes instead of 7 minutes) and not burn at all It also takes less amount of visits to get the tan you want. They are great!

 

[TeresaMc]

I am also of the "fair is beautiful" club, but have gone to tanning beds many times in the past. I buy minutes rather than months and I go in very very small increments, like 5 minutes 1st time, 5 minutes 2nd time two days later, 6 minutes 3rd time, etc. etc.

If I have no sun at all and go to the beach I will burn every time, even with sunscreen. I know uv rays can be dangerous, especially if you get burned but I feel like I am being as safe as possible with minimal exposure to the tanning beds making sure to not get burned. After 6-7 visits (all 10 minutes or less) I then slowly make my way up to 12-15 minutes. THEN with a very light base tan I can go to the beach or pool with sunscreen on and not burn to a crisp!

Good luck!

Great answer!!!! Although I make a living from tanning salons I am a huge advocate of moderation and good skin care.

 

[TeresaMc]

savs....
You are correct about the Matrix being less likely to burn you. That unit is a high pressure bed with nearly no UVB emitted, so it is very unlikely to burn you but again I still advise very slow and moderate exposure schedule.




OK I am getting off of my soapbox now

 

[off to neverland]

I'm in the process of tanning at a salon before our trip in May. I'm not JUST doing it for the trip, I'm also doing it because I am finding I am absolutely CRAVING sunlight, which up here in Canada I don't get much of. It's often too cold to take the kids out, and I put sunscreen on my face so I don't get any UV over the winter.

I have gotten pink a few times, and I just rest a few days and then go back and cut back just one minute. I don't plan on getting super dark or leathery, just a little color.

I agree with theresa.. it's much easier to get burned outside where you aren't aware how much UV you are getting, vs in a salon where it's in a very controlled environment. I always wear sunscreen outside.

Enjoy your time in the bed!

 

[goofyforlife]

You might want to ask the tanning salon if they changed bulbs in the bed you used last time (when you seemed to be burned).

when bulbs are new they are usually more powerful. Some salons will tell you when they change... I've also been to some who don't.

 

[DisneyDotty]

Eeek! I can't help myself....Going to lecture for a moment...Move on if you don't want to hear it...I'm a MALIGNANT MELANOMA survivor--age 38 when diagnosed--laid out all the time with no protection. So far I have beaten the cancer, but have to go to dermo. every three months for check-ups, plus do chest x-rays and blood tests regularly. Also at the back of my mind that the cancer is still lurking somewhere inside me.
There is NO such thing as a safe tan--you are damaging your skin. Please consider sunscreen, or at least those spray-on tanners. I get very good results from Neutrogena 's self tanners.
Have a great time at WDW!