Tanning before cruise?????

[Twinklee]

We're going on the April 16th Magic cruise and my dd and I were wanting to tan before the cruise. We've never been to a tanning bed in the past and I was wondering if anyone could give us some info? I'm thinking we should start around the first of March. Is that too soon, too late? We're both fair skinned and will have to take it slow, and I take meds that cause me to burn easily. And tips from anyone? Thanks.

Toni

 

[gassmandy]

Try to see if any of your local tanning salons have the spray on tans (usually called Mystic Tan). Or do tanning lotions. (I love the Clinique one for my body and the Estee Lauder for the face).

But if you would rather do the booths--start slow. Maybe 5 or 10 minutes the first few times. Also--I'd be wary of them if you are on the meds. that say to avoid sun. To me--the safest would be the spray on tanning booth or the lotions---so you'll be bronze w/out the burn and bad sun exposure.

Good luck and have a great cruise!!!

 

[Aisling]

This is something I never thought to look into! We're cruising in Dec., and I'm really fair-skinned. My legs are going to be so white unless I do something about it in advance!
Thanks for the ideas.

 

[debster]

We always do a few tanning sessions before our vacation. We are faired skinned and this helps us to avoid any nasty burns in that Florida/Caribbean sun. Kinda gives us a "base"

We are not sun tanners but want to be able to enjoy activities in the sun while on vacation.

 

[NYDisneyMom]

We're going on the April 16th Magic cruise and my dd and I were wanting to tan before the cruise. We've never been to a tanning bed in the past and I was wondering if anyone could give us some info? I'm thinking we should start around the first of March. Is that too soon, too late? We're both fair skinned and will have to take it slow, and I take meds that cause me to burn easily. And tips from anyone? Thanks.

Toni

I usually do a spray tan before going on vacation. I don't have the time to sit in tanning booths for several sessions to get tan. 30 seconds in a spray tan booth and voila -- instant tan! Here it costs about $25. I do it the day before we leave.

 

[goofyforlife]

you should be ok if you start the beginning of March. Start the first couple weeks out slow....(less than 5 minutes each time)....

Mystic may be good if you only want color....but it won't keep you from burning in the Sun down there.

 

[Macnjac87]

Does anyone know how long the spray on tans keep? Can I use a self tanner once it starts to fade? We are doing the 4 night cruise followed by a week at Hilton Head and I want to have color the whole time!

 

[married2grumpy]

I always tan before vacations. I too am somewhat fair skinned and usually will burn a couple times before I start to tan. I also get a reaction from sun exposure, red splotches and itchy bumps on my chest and arms. Not a pretty sight! Tanning before vacations allows me to build a base tan so I can stay out in the sun longer without breaking out and getting burned.

I usually start 1 month prior to my trips(most tanning packages are sold by the month). I go for 8 or 9 minutes in a 12 minute stand up bed. Even after the month, I still don't do the full 12 minutes. I prefer the stand up just because I don't like laying in the beds. Even though they are cleaned after each use, the gross factor is just too much for me!

 

[dizney-cruiser]

i think that most tanning salons offer a cheaper rate if you sign up for one month - you might want to start one month to the day (or a few days before) and get that cheaper rate

 

[1princessesmom]

Hi, I did the spray on tan (at a salon) before our cruise last month. It lasts about 6 days. I brought some Lacome self tanning mousse to use as the spray on tan started to fade. It worked well!

 

[salbythec]

I too am fair and was thinking about this. How does the spray on tan last with swimming ?

 

[tchoney]

I usually do a spray tan before going on vacation. I don't have the time to sit in tanning booths for several sessions to get tan. 30 seconds in a spray tan booth and voila -- instant tan! Here it costs about $25. I do it the day before we leave.

How long does the spray on tan last? will it last 8 days? I've thought about getting that, but hated to pay for it if it washes off quickly...

 

[littlemuffin]

I just want to share with you my experience. I'm 35 and I used the tanning bed sporadicly (less than 10 sessions each year before vacation) for about 10 years. Beginning about 2 years ago I started developing basal cell carcinomas. I have had over 20 in 2 years. The only explanation is tanning bed use. This is straight from my dermatoligist's mouth. She said she is seeing a huge increase in the occurance of these cancers in younger people. Especially on their backs, chests and but*s. I am not trying to say that everyone will get these but I don't think the risk is worth the results. Now I can't get any sun at all. I am continually ha ving these places cut off my back and chest.

I am fair skinned and blue eyed. I have always tanned well and never had any blistering burns.

I have promised that I will share this story with anyone considering using a tanning bed.

Sorry so long.
Kathy

 

[jdm]

Kathy makes a good point, these tanning beds have a bad rep (as dones the sun) and some people have lifelong consequences for using them.

You did ask the question though, so I'll tell you what I do. About 6 weeks before vacation, I tan. I buy a minutes package as the session pkg is usually higher and a session can be up to 20 minutes. I could never do 20 min. I start out with 10 and do that about 3 times a week for about 2 weeks, then I bump to 12 for a couple of weeks (try to do at least 2 sessions per week) and then 15 for the next couple of weeks before we go.

I to am very fair, sensitive skinned and I also have bad reactions to sun screens. So, as another poster mentioned, it helps me build a base tan so I don't get so scorched while on vacation.

I keep tanning to a minimum because I'm aware its risky business. Having said that, I love tanning. I love the lay down beds, turn on the radio (or sometimes just quiet) and soak up the warmth for ten minutes. I live in Wa state, light and warmth is at a premium in these winter grey months!!

Jenn

 

[TeresaMc]

I feel compelled to answer some questions.

Spray on Tans last about 4-7 days, they exfoliate off naturally so the more moisturized you keep your skin and the gentler soaps you use will make it last longer. Spray tan is COSMETIC, provides no protection from real UV rays so if you have a spray tan you still need to use your SPF frequently.

Tanning beds/booths should be done no more than every other day for 3-4 weeks before your trip. There is no such thing as a quick tan, it is a gradual process. The tanning process continues for up to 72 hours after your session going too often will increase your chance of burning. It takes about 10-15 session to get a good base tan.

As far as the medication...some photosensitive meds you should reduce your tanning time, others you should NEVER tan while using. PM me the med and I'll give you my opinion on that.

Just remember MODERATION is key!!!

 

[littlemuffin]

Ok - I just want to make one more point. According to my dermatologists, you are not getting a "base" tan. Just color. You will burn just as easily with or without the base.

I also LOVED to tan. That was my favorite part of vacation. Laying by the pool with a book. Getting a nice dark color. Now I have to lay with either a ton of sunscreen or just stay in the shade.

I did the spray on tan. It was great.

I really hate to preach about this. I ignored all the warnings people gave me too. But if you are fair you are asking for alot of trouble with the tanning beds. The sun is not as dangerous as these tanning beds.

I am lucky to only have the basal cell carcinoma. I know people who have died with melonoma and had horrible rashes that will not go away.

Just think about it before you go in the next time. Also remember that the people who work at these salons are simply selling you something. They will tell you anything to get you to buy!

Kathy

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

PLEASE....please don't forget, that those "spray-on" instant tans, or the tan in a bottle may look fine...for a few days, but they provide no long term sun protection. You absolutely can burn with a spray on tan. They are like spray painting your body. They do not produce any melanin (the natural color/sun protection) in the skin.

I always recommend tanning before a vacation. I usually get pretty dark, and have never had a problem with burning. But I am fairly dark skinned and tan easily. Someone with light skin...prone to burning, should as the above posters stated, definitely pre-tan and do it very slowly to prevent burning, and maybe even use some sunscreen the first few days of the cruise to see how your skin is reacting to the Caribbean Sun (And, you'll look better in those sailaway photos!).

Mrsfuzzmo

 

[webray]

I burn easily also, and tanned before our first cruise. I started with 5 minutes at a time until I had a bit of a base. Remember, you can burn in a tanning booth, hubby did..they put him in too long the first time..he had to recover from the burn before he could continue.

We started about three months in advance, it worked out great. We just kept on getting darker in the caribbean sun.

Unfortunately, on our second cruise..we booked two days before we left..didn't have time to tan and we burnt like you wouldn't believe on castaway cay..in march.

Definately tan if you can, especially if you are fair skinned.

 

[Tylerandalliesmom]

I am on the April 16th cruise too! I went to the tanning bed last week for the first time to build my "base". I forgot how potent they were and went in for 20 minutes my first time...big mistake! I went last Friday and this is the first day I don't have excrutiating itching. I plan to go once a week or week and a half but cut down my time to no more than 10 minutes. I too fear getting skin cancer because of my red hair and fair skin. I just don't want to burn and have a miserable vacation. I do not plan to keep it up on a regular basis.

 

[married2grumpy]

Ok - I just want to make one more point. According to my dermatologists, you are not getting a "base" tan. Just color. You will burn just as easily with or without the base.

Kathy

I don't know how true that is. I am not a dermotologist but I do know that I burn less with a base tan. When I have a base tan, I can stay in the sun longer without getting burned. Also, in the tanning salon, as you get more color you increase the length of time you can tan without burning.

I agree it is not good for you and there is a risk to any type of sun exposure. I don't do it often but it is something I enjoy when I do it.