Tanning Before Trip

[DolphinBound]

I'm really not a fan of those tanning salons because I have fair skin and freckles; however, we are considering going to one prior to our upcoming May trip just to prevent burning in the hot Florida sun. Has anyone done this? If so, how long before your trip do you start going, and how many times/week (I realize this may depend on individual skin types). Thanks!

 

[adisneynut]

You may get fried on this subject.

I don't tan much myself either. I do when I go on a cruise and I will before my May trip to WDW. I use a self tanner most of the time.

Since you are fair I would start out slow and go over other day or over . I would start at 5 minutes.
Most beds have a schedule for you to follow on them. Just try not to stay in it too long.
Also most tanning salons offer a plan for a month. That is usually the best way to go.

They will also try to sell you lotions and so on.

Do use protective eye coverings and cover your face and hair. The beds are brutal on them.
Hope this helps.
Have a great trip.

 

[kerrynic78]

When I was in college I would always get a month package and tan before spring break. I am Italian so I have dark skin, I was able to tan 5 days a week right from the start but I know that could be very dangerous for some people. If you are going to do it they usually suggest starting out at only about 8 minutes in the bed. Adisney nut was right on with what she said, don't forget the eye shades and make sure to lotion up after you get out. It keeps you from peeling.

 

[BraveMom3]

Just a bit of advice from a "Southern Girl" who is olive-skinned and has always tanned easily. Don't think for a minute that because you have a tan that you won't burn. You absolutely WILL!! If you would like to get a light tan for the look, I completely understand that, but please, please be sure that you still use sunscreen when on vacation in Florida. I would hate for you to ruin days of your precious vacation due to a sunburn.

 

[DolphinBound]

Thank you, everyone, for your tips and advice! I will definitely still use sunscreen!

 

[StilesMom]

Oh DolphinBound.... please do not use a tanning bed... especially if you have fair skin and freckles!! It just isn't worth the risk when there are self-tanners that will take away the white pasty look. Spend a little extra for a quality self-tanner from the cosmetics counter and skip the tanning bed. Believe me... you don't want to ever hear the dermatologist say the words, "skin cancer."

 

[Mish19]

Since I also have fair skin and blessed with freckles I yearn to be tan but I just burn too darn fast. I have toyed with the tanning bed idea but I just don't know how safe it is. Can anyone suggest a good self tanner? I don't want to end up looking orange, LOL

 

[adisneynut]

I have used Neutrogena for about 3 summers now. I would select the Spray or foam over the lotion. The spray is easier to apply. Also if you are fair choose a fair or medium color. That will prevent you from looikng orange. Clinque also is good but I don't care for the smell.

Exfoliate(sp) yourself first. This removes dead skin and will make the color last longer and apply smoother. Be real careful around your knees and elbow. One hint I have is use a fragrance free lotion on your legs first. Let that dry then apply self-tanner, skip your knees and after you have finished the legs just barley skim over your knees.

I hope this helps.

 

[Sandiebean]

I use self tanners. I have red/auburn hair.. and I'm fair fair fair. HOWEVER... when I go to WDW.. I ALWAYS go in the tanner first. Why? Because even with the suntan lotion.. I fry. This isn't about looks.. If I get a base.. I am less apt to fry. I still where suntan lotion.. but I don't have to wear long sleeves too.

It's always been the best of two evils. Even my dr. agrees with my reasoning.

Sandie

 

[Steffi]

I'm also very fair...I've only tried a tanning bed once, years ago. (With all of the bad publicity they're getting now, and with me being a roaring hypochondriac, I wouldn't dream of using one again, but that's just a personal decision for me.) The only thing I'd suggest if you are going to try one, is DEFINATELY use a really good lotion, maybe one of the ones they try to sell you at the tanning place, or something better if you can find one. My one experience with the tanning bed & my own cheapness in not purchasing a good lotion left me with very, very dry & itchy skin. I don't know if anyone else experienced this, or what lotion to recommend, though. Anyway, good luck & Happy Disneying

 

[crusoe2]

Here's another vote for going with a self tanning product. I agree with adisneynut on the Neutrogena. I've tried about 4 or 5 different brands and had the best results with Neutrogena. I also use to work at a Clinique counter and learned about the proper way to use the self tanning products. Adisneynut is right on that one also - definitely exfoliate first. And the exfoliator you use doesn't have to be the expensive stuff - I've used the Clinique exfoliator, the St. Ives body scrub that I got at Walmart, and some really cheap stuff I picked up at the Dollar Tree. They all worked about the same for me. But do go with a good tanning product. Oh and, not only should you apply sparingly on your knees, you should go easy on your elbows and ankles too. Hope this helps.

 

[Jen80370]

If you go to a tanning salon...only go every other day for about five minutes. You may not even notice it, but by the end of the month, you'll have a NICE BASE...if you then use sunscreen at the park, you will get color but not torched.

All of those tanning salon studies are based on people who go day in day out for the maximum time for years at a time. Sun damage comes from burns...if you do it slowly, you won't burn, hence you won't damage.

Good luck!

 

[xplor144]

I went to a tanning salon once when I was a teen. I am white as a ghost, and burn very easily. I was only in for about 5 minutes- but got this great idea that I would go topless. Well, even at the 5 minutes, I burnt- all of me! To include those most sensitive areas of the toplessness. So be very careful! I wasn't "right" for at least a week! And I never went back!LOL We just got back yesterday from Florida, and I just used Sunscreen and had no burning- thank goodness! I usually burn the first time I am in the sun no matter how much sunscreen I use. Must have been part of the magic!

 

[slp87]

You can still burn under a tan from a tanning bed!! My friend put it best when he said you can always find someone bigger & whiter than you. Don't worry...use sunscreen.

 

[tink2dw]

The NEW Coppertone Gel 30spf and the Wal-greens Spray 30spf Sunblocks worked so well on my fair skinned Dd that she was mad because she got No color while we were in Florida!! That was a 1st! Usually she tans with a creme 40spf lotion.

We used the Gel on our faces and ears. It dryed fast,wasn't sticky or oily,and didn't sweat off.
We used the Spray on all other exposed skin. It dryed fast,too.

I was so pleased I plan to use these products this Summer!! Always buy new Sunblock,it does expire!! and it will let you burn.

 

[Gillian]

Here's another vote for gel sunblock, wether you choose to tan or not!

We were at a baseball game in FL the 1st week of march & they handed out bullfrog spf 36 samples. If you put it on before you start to sweat it works great! We sat in the hot sun all afternoon & didn't burn at all, except where we didn't have the Bullfrog

 

[Disneydenise]

Another question about the self tanning stuff?
We are going in April and DD is very fair and burns easily. She has dry skin but is only 18. I was wondering if anyone has any advice on which one to use on her face. I don't want her to get a zit face for her senior trip. She doesn't have a problem applying sunblock. We can't stand to be burned and the risk of Skin cancer is real in our family. Does anyone have any info regarding the best type for your face? Thanks.Denise

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

I use to go to the tanning beds constantly in my early 20's. I never tanned much outside I just used the tanning beds to stay nice and brown. Well now I'm 36 and I have had to have a number of moles removed, thank goodness no skin cancer as of yet, but i have to go to the derm yearly for body checks. Scary! Esp when I use to think that tanning beds were so safe!

I am really fair so I opt for self tanners in the summer to give me a bit of color. Here is a link to a greatsite called Sunless.com = they have many reviews of all the best self tanners. They also have helpfull hints of how to achieve a beautiful bottle tan. If you do decide to use the tanning bed please be very careful - there are new reports coming out now that they aren't any better then the sun, I wish I had known that in my 20's when everyone was touting how "Safe" they were.




http://www.sunless.com/


Melissa

 

[skeezixspud]

... in terms of the health risks. UV exposure is cumulative. If you get a tan every summer of your life but never burn, you still have serious skin damage by the time you hit your 40's. Think of yourself as a piece of toast; lightly browned may not be the same as charred, but you have still been cooking your surface.

Here is a pamphlet on the subject from the American Academy of Dermatology, http://www.aad.org/pamphlets/SunSkin.html

Face it, if you are fair-skinned, you don't have the genetic material to combat sun damage without extra protection. I may be pasty, but I have healthy skin, and I have not had any tans *or* burns for the past 25 years, even living in the deep South. I dress just like anyone else in the heat, but I use serious sunscreen and re-apply it every 30 minutes.

If you want darker skin, dye it; don't fry it.

 

[nancycels]

hawaiian tropic makes 70 block that the sell at goodlings? goodings however u spell it!
i have a daughter w/no pigment and she uses it and never burns, its great for all day
at dis, although of course u have to keep reapplying it. we go in july, so u know its
heavy duty sun! well worth the investment! she still wears a hat, but even on days she
takes it off NO burn! i know u r looking for a tan, but hopefully not skin cancer.