Tanning for Disney

I'm so glad to find all of these replies telling people not to tan (either outside or in tanning beds)! I already posted earlier about having two relatives in their 20s get melanoma -- it's just not worth it!

(Why do we think tans look "healthy," anyways? They're just a sign of skin damage! A co-worker just got back from a cruise and got a dark tan, and everyone keeps exclaiming how good she looks! She's in her late 50s and I you can just see the new age spots forming - she's going to look really blotchy.)
 
Also have to chime in and beg people not to use tanning beds (although I am admittingly intrigued by Mystic Tan). 4 weeks before my wedding, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Malignant Melanoma...which had spread to my lymph nodes. I have emergency surgery that week and had to stay in the shade for my entire Caribbean honeymoon! I was tanning once or twice a week before my wedding to "get a base" and you can see how that turned out (and in case you are questioning it...the original cancer site was in a place that did not get sun naturally). I have been very lucky and passed my 5 year mark this past summer. But I really have to BEG that people NOT use tanning beds to "get a base" (as tempting as it can be). I now use Jergens if I vacation in the winter...in the summer, I go with my natural color...and I wear sunscreen every day!
 
I just don't want to be neon white like I am right now when we go.....

white means nothing to your child and your family. If you weren't born brown, then you weren't meant to be brown. Use mystic tan, use the tanning lotions, but please...do not subject yourself even ONCE to those death traps. IT IS NOT WORTH IT. Especially when you have a great, SAFE alternative.

I am an Irish girl...I am so white I glow. I use Mystic in the summer. I am a bronze goddess all summer long. No one can tell that I wasn't born that way. I can have my cosmetic tan and still be protected from the VIOLENT and damaging rays of the sun.

watching my friend die of this horrible horrible disease simply b/c she wasn't born with the skin tone she found most aesthetically pleasing was TORTURE. And make no mistake...it was a torturous way to die.

don't subject yourself to the possibility.

:goodvibes
 

I say to each their own. People do things every day that puts them at risk for one thing or another. I myself dont tan in the tanning beds but I also am 1/2 italian and 1/2 portuguese so I already have an olive skin tone. People should be well aware of the risks they are taking when they tan, or drink alcohol, or smoke cigarettes, or eat fatty foods, or have unprotected sex..or I could go on and on..drive without a seat belt, drive in NYC (attempt at humor!!)...Do whats you feel is best for you. Weigh the risks and decide what works for you..and bottom line..have a great one!!
 
I am against using tanning booths. I come from a family that has strong cancer genes. I tend to bug my family too much about putting their sunscreen on but it is for their own benefit. I have found that every time we go to the water parks we put the lotion on liberally and reapply every 2 hours. Even with this one of us ends up getting burnt on our shoulders, chest, or back. Now what's up with that????
 
I just don't want to be neon white like I am right now when we go.....

I am an Irish girl...I am so white I glow. I use Mystic in the summer. I am a bronze goddess all summer long. No one can tell that I wasn't born that way. I can have my cosmetic tan and still be protected from the VIOLENT and damaging rays of the sun.

ITA with MissCammie (AKA CampbellScot). Don't take the risk. I'm a scout leader. Our "uniform" includes a hat, sunglasses and sunblock for all our outdoor adventures.

Now, MissCammie and MommyBuzz909, I'm just a guy. And I'm smart enough to know that dads don't really get a say in matters of taste and style. :lmao: (Hey, I partial to polo shirts with Disney characters. :lmao:)

But, ...

Have you ever asked your DHs what they think? They might actually prefer your "winter color." My wife also has very fair skin and I think she looks beautiful in any light. :love:
 
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ITA with MissCammie (AKA CampbellScot). Don't take the risk. I'm a scout leader. Our "uniform" includes a hat, sunglasses and sunblock for all our outdoor adventures.

Now, MissCammie and MommyBuzz909, I'm just a guy. And I'm smart enough to know that dads don't really get a say in matters of taste and style. :lmao: (Hey, I partial to polo shirts with Disney characters. :lmao:)

But, ...

Have you ever asked your DHs what they think? They might actually prefer your "winter color." My wife also has very fair skin and I think she looks beautiful in any light. :love:


I don't have a DH or a DBF - just got away from a psycho one....so that really isn't an option for me :o)

I think I'll just lay out in the yard - you can't beat 85 degree weather in March - gotta love California.....
 
Also have to chime in and beg people not to use tanning beds (although I am admittingly intrigued by Mystic Tan). 4 weeks before my wedding, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Malignant Melanoma...which had spread to my lymph nodes. I have emergency surgery that week and had to stay in the shade for my entire Caribbean honeymoon! I was tanning once or twice a week before my wedding to "get a base" and you can see how that turned out (and in case you are questioning it...the original cancer site was in a place that did not get sun naturally). I have been very lucky and passed my 5 year mark this past summer. But I really have to BEG that people NOT use tanning beds to "get a base" (as tempting as it can be). I now use Jergens if I vacation in the winter...in the summer, I go with my natural color...and I wear sunscreen every day![/QUOTE

Congrats on getting to your 5 year mark! I am an irish girl who only burns, peels, burns, peels, etc. I've given into the Jergens and use SPF 45 religiously (and force my kids too also). My 12 y/o daughter is even prous of being "Casper". Your story will keep me from being tempted. So glad everything turned out well for you.
 
As hard as it may be, just say no to tanning...

I tanned my way through the 80's - mostly outdoors during the summer months, worked as a camp counselor and lifeguard, and did a few booth sessions around prom and other special occassions. I am now in my 30's and have just had my third "precancerous" mole removed. Huge scars on my leg, upper arm, and chest. No more sun for me! And I did not burn easily and believed in getting a base tan. There is no safe tan - all color is skin damage. Go the fake route - fake tanner has come a LONG way!

Also, I have noticed over the past five or so years you just don't see as many people as darkly tanned as you did in previous years. I don't feel a bit out of place going to FL in the middle of the winter in all my glowing whiteness. Others may feel differently when looking at my legs...:eek: But that's their issue, not mine.
 
FOR PEOPLE FAMILIAR WITH MYSTIC!! I was interested in doing this before I go. But I can only go once before I leave. If I were to just go one time, the night before I leave, would it still work and would I still look tan?? Thanks!
 
As hard as it may be, just say no to tanning...

I tanned my way through the 80's - mostly outdoors during the summer months, worked as a camp counselor and lifeguard, and did a few booth sessions around prom and other special occassions. I am now in my 30's and have just had my third "precancerous" mole removed. Huge scars on my leg, upper arm, and chest. No more sun for me! And I did not burn easily and believed in getting a base tan. There is no safe tan - all color is skin damage. Go the fake route - fake tanner has come a LONG way!

Also, I have noticed over the past five or so years you just don't see as many people as darkly tanned as you did in previous years. I don't feel a bit out of place going to FL in the middle of the winter in all my glowing whiteness. Others may feel differently when looking at my legs...:eek: But that's their issue, not mine.

I'm right there with you, white legs and all!:rotfl: I go at the end of summer too when most peopl are already tan!:rotfl: I do want to try that mystic tan this year.
 
I did the mystic tan a day before I left & A few days into the trip, before I went to bed I just used Jergens natural glow. It kept my skin looking like a Natural tan. I'm also very pale w/ blue undertones & I didn't turn orange or anything. Depending what times you leave, if you do it a day before you leave- you can shower & moisturize the next morning.
 
FOR PEOPLE FAMILIAR WITH MYSTIC!! I was interested in doing this before I go. But I can only go once before I leave. If I were to just go one time, the night before I leave, would it still work and would I still look tan?? Thanks!

YES it would work and you would still look tan! There are different levels though...level 1 gives you a hint of color, 2 makes you look tan, 3 makes you look like you were on vacation! I usually did 2 or 3 and I always did them in high school on a Friday if I had homecoming or a formal on Saturday. It is darkest right after you get it so I would do it the day before you go at least, or at least buy some gradual tanner to help keep your color. it is really pricey but REALLY good if you go to ulta or sephora get some bare escentuals faux tan moisturizer!

I am leaving on Friday so my tanning process starts tonight!
 
I know everyone is different, but why do people say they will burn horribly if they don't have a base tan?! If you use plenty of sunblock and reapply regularly especially if you're around water, you shouldn't burn. I think what most people don't just come out and say especially living up north is that they want to be tan, but not too tan; they want to be in the sun, but they don't want the damage. Any and All exposure to the sun or tanning booths is damaging to your skin!!

I completely agree. I wear a good sunscreen and a hat, and try to limit my sun exposure. I don't burn when I'm in Florida, even though I have pale Irish skin. I don't tan either, and it doesn't bother me in the slightest.
 
I am one of those rare broads with a crazy ethnicity. I have pale skin naturally but if sunlight hits me for a very short period of time, I become very dark. So you can imagine that my arms and face are pretty different looking from my tummy or chest. Living in a state like Oregon where it rains something like 9 months out of the year I don't get to see natural sun very often but when I do the tan lines from tank tops and such last for nearly half a year.

Essentially what I am getting at is that I tan, using the tanning beds. Without it, I'd be very funny looking. I've tried Mystic Tan once and will not do it again, I hated the process, it looked uneven because of my weird skin tones to being with and I felt dirty. For someone who likes to take showers sometimes twice a day, feeling dirty is an absolute no-no.

Luckily for me though, I tan very easily and don't have to go more than once a month. I feel sorry for those who go more than 3 times a week, which A LOT of people do. I know it's bad for me, but I also wear SPF 4 when I go in there! There are different kinds of beds, all of which aren't great in general but there are some that are very very very safe in tanning bed standards. They're just like spending 10 minutes in the sun.

Lol, I'd like to know if anyone who has said not to tan because of it's dangers if they smoke? If so, then well...........
 
I am one of those rare broads with a crazy ethnicity. I have pale skin naturally but if sunlight hits me for a very short period of time, I become very dark. So you can imagine that my arms and face are pretty different looking from my tummy or chest. Living in a state like Oregon where it rains something like 9 months out of the year I don't get to see natural sun very often but when I do the tan lines from tank tops and such last for nearly half a year.

Essentially what I am getting at is that I tan, using the tanning beds. Without it, I'd be very funny looking. I've tried Mystic Tan once and will not do it again, I hated the process, it looked uneven because of my weird skin tones to being with and I felt dirty. For someone who likes to take showers sometimes twice a day, feeling dirty is an absolute no-no.

Luckily for me though, I tan very easily and don't have to go more than once a month. I feel sorry for those who go more than 3 times a week, which A LOT of people do. I know it's bad for me, but I also wear SPF 4 when I go in there! There are different kinds of beds, all of which aren't great in general but there are some that are very very very safe in tanning bed standards. They're just like spending 10 minutes in the sun.

Lol, I'd like to know if anyone who has said not to tan because of it's dangers if they smoke? If so, then well...........

Howdy neighbor! I'm in West Linn! Hey, didn't the sun come out for about 10 minutes yesterday!:laughing: :laughing:

Yes, you are lucky that you tan easily, because I think that I burn so easily that I'm probably the perfect candidate for skin cancer! But it still not good for you my fellow Oregonian! Naughty girl!

SPF 4...I always wear SPF 30!:rotfl2:
 
Since we are on the topic, I have blonde hair and blue eyes and spent 6 years as a lifeguard and water safety instructor. Needless to say, I have had all the sun exposure I need for a lifetime!! Now in my 40's, the sun damage is starting to show. A little late, but I am a nut when it comes to protection from the sun. I find that most people do not know how to use a sunscreen! Please read the following no matter what color your skin is:

from http://dermatology.about.com/cs/skincareproducts/l/blsunscreen.htm

Exposure to ultraviolet light, UVA or UVB, from sunlight accounts for 90% of the symptoms of premature skin aging such as wrinkles and skin cancers. The most important skin-care product available to prevent wrinkles and skin cancer is sunscreen, but most people do not use sunscreen correctly.

Important factors to consider with sunscreen use are the spectrum of UV radiation absorbed, the amount of sunscreen applied, and the frequency of application.
The SPF measures the amount of UVB absorption, but there is no method of reporting the UVA absorption. The only way to determine if a sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB radiation is to look at the ingredients. A good broad-spectrum sunscreen should have an SPF of at least 15 and contain avobenzone, titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide.
Most people use sunscreen improperly by not applying enough. They apply only 25% to 50% of the recommended amount. Sunscreen should be applied liberally enough to all sun-exposed areas that it forms a film when initially applied. It takes 20-30 minutes for sunscreen to be absorbed by the skin, so it should be applied at least a half an hour before going out in the sun. Sunscreen should also be the last product applied especially on the face since some sunscreens can break down in the presence of water contained in water-based foundations and moisturizers.
Reapplying Sunscreen
Most instructions on sunscreen labels recommend reapplying sunscreen "frequently", but the definition of "frequently" is vague. A common instruction is to reapply sunscreen after 2-4 hours in the sun. However, one study has shown that reapplying sunscreen 20 to 30 minutes after being in the sun is more effective than waiting 2 hours. It is possible that this time period is more effective because most people do not apply enough sunscreen initially, and this second application approximates the actual amount needed. Sunscreen should also be reapplied after swimming, excessive sweating, or toweling.

Daily Sunscreen
Sunscreen should be applied daily. The daily use of a low-SPF sunscreen (15) has been shown to be more effective in preventing skin damage than the intermittent use of a higher SPF sunscreen
Sunscreen and Insect Repellents
Insect repellents reduce the sunscreen's SPF by up to one-third. When using sunscreen and insect repellent together, a higher SPF should be used and reapplied more often.

PLEASE STAY HEALTHY AND USE SUNSCREEN!
 
I was going to tan prior to our June trip to WDW and our July trip to St. Augustine but I'm second guessing myself. My cousin was just diagnosed with Invasive Malignant Melanoma and has to undergo surgery in 2 weeks to explore her lymph nodes.

So, I dont' think I'll be tanning anymore. I'm going to embrace my pasty skin.

I tried Mystic Tan last year and it just wound up looking splotchy. Complete waste of $$ in my opinion.

I think I will try the Jergen's lotion though. Good to see someone had some success with it!
 

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