Totally OT question for those of you that tan

[KristyBDJ]

Ok, so we leave for WDW in a month I would like to get at least a little tan before we go so that I don't blind people with my legs. Seriously though, I'm practically transparent I'm so pale and I live in Wisconsin which doesn't help. I have actually never gone tanning, not even once. I guess I'm wondering if a month is enough time for someone as fair skinned as me to get any color or if it won't even be worth it. TIA

Oh, and I have tried the spray tan and didn't like it since it was gone like the next day!

 

[dancin'girl]

I think a month would be plenty of time to tan, but I have to tell you, as someone that is self-conscious at times about being so pale, I was not uncomfortable at all during our trip last May. There were plenty of pale people vacationing! Maybe because it was still Spring, folks hadn't had enough time to get a tan yet! On our trip during September I saw many more tanned people. We're leaving in about a month, too, and with the weather being so iffy here, I'm guessing that I will be pale again for this trip! Fortunately, I expect to see lots of other pale guests, too!

 

[RooRach0906]

I am very fair as well and I have tanned many times. A month is enough time now you wont be dark but you will have some color. DO USE A TANNING BED LOTION. Make sure to get a lotion with bronzer in it to help with color. Also make sure to wipe your hands really good with a towel before you get in the bed or they will come out orange from the bronzer. Another thing I will tell you is start out slow ask the person at the tanning salon what they think you should start out at even if its only 6 minutes do what they reccommend or you could burn and burn in a tanning bed is a different type than from outside. Then ask them how you should move up and how to do your days. It may be two days the first week and 3 the next and 4 the next. Please take their advice because some bed are stronger than others.
Hope this helps and if you have anymore question just ask I will answer to the best of my ability.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Oh, and I have tried the spray tan and didn't like it since it was gone like the next day!

Save your skin ~ just re spray ~ I ordered this http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=219806&catid=10401 due to this thread http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36141846&postcount=5 *the lotion has lots of good reviews*

 

[CuteAndFluffy]

I'm super fair as well and am a little scared of the tanning beds. I opt for the Jergens lotion that darkens your skin gradually. Totally normal color, stays on and a month is PLENTY of time to get some good color going. Many many many of my friends use it, too.

Safer for you, good lasting results, and far, far cheaper!

 

[taylor3297]

Ok, so we leave for WDW in a month I would like to get at least a little tan before we go so that I don't blind people with my legs. Seriously though, I'm practically transparent I'm so pale and I live in Wisconsin which doesn't help. I have actually never gone tanning, not even once. I guess I'm wondering if a month is enough time for someone as fair skinned as me to get any color or if it won't even be worth it. TIA

Oh, and I have tried the spray tan and didn't like it since it was gone like the next day!

First since you said you were that pale, do you normally tan when out at the beach or pool? If you then you could benefit from going to a salon. If you are the pale type that just burns no matter what, then don't waste your money.

We all know tanning isn't good for us, but if someone is going to do it, then they need to do it responsibly.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Ok I'm going to hop on my soapbox for a moment

Please please please reconsider....LOTS of people will be pale at WDW (me included). If you must, use the Jergens lotion. It works quite well. You need to do it daily to build it up but it does work.

I say this because I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Melanoma 4 weeks before my wedding. I was tanning before my wedding/Caribbean honeymoon. I only had a 25% survival rate by the time it was discovered. (obviously, I beat the odds)

If you ARE going to tan... PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE see a dermatologist and have any/all freckles/moles examined. Trust me, I KNOW how tempting it is. Every year when we got to WDW, a small part of me thinks how bad would it be to go a couple of times.

 

[krcit]

Ok I'm going to hop on my soapbox for a moment

Please please please reconsider....LOTS of people will be pale at WDW (me included). If you must, use the Jergens lotion. It works quite well. You need to do it daily to build it up but it does work.

I say this because I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Melanoma 4 weeks before my wedding. I was tanning before my wedding/Caribbean honeymoon. I only had a 25% survival rate by the time it was discovered. (obviously, I beat the odds)

If you ARE going to tan... PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE see a dermatologist and have any/all freckles/moles examined. Trust me, I KNOW how tempting it is. Every year when we got to WDW, a small part of me thinks how bad would it be to go a couple of times.

I'll jump up on that soapbox with you!! Glad that you beat the odds!! The Jergens works great. I use it every year just to tone down my looseleaf color skin!

 

[bellebud]

another for jergens lotion. there are also a few other brands that do the same thing. it's just a tiny bit of tanner added to a regular moisturizing lotion, so it takes a few days to see a change, but that's a good thing because you won't get the streaks you can get w/ regular tanners.

I always put lotion on after the shower, every morning, anyway. good habit to be in.

I don't want to lecture you, but I wouldn't use a tanning bed if someone paid me. Besides the skin cancer risk, google the germs found on tanning beds (people use them naked, men and women, and they're SWEATING, and it's just disgusting!) Like poopie germs besides many others - LOL - but I'm not kidding! I was listening to Dr. Radio on satellite radio the other day, and this was the topic. ewwwww!!

 

[gower525]

Use Jergen's Natural Glow! It is the best thing ever. I just use it when I get out of the shower each day (or every other day) - and it certainly takes the glow off! It has only a little tanner, so streaks aren't really an issue.

 

[SShewbert]

I think I may be the only person in the world who can mess up even the self tanner lotion. I put it on last night and my ankles and feet are so dark already after just one application, and my legs have splotches where you can tell I added more. Can someone tell me how to fix it?

 

[Beavers5]

Ok I'm going to hop on my soapbox for a moment

Please please please reconsider....LOTS of people will be pale at WDW (me included). If you must, use the Jergens lotion. It works quite well. You need to do it daily to build it up but it does work.

I say this because I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Melanoma 4 weeks before my wedding. I was tanning before my wedding/Caribbean honeymoon. I only had a 25% survival rate by the time it was discovered. (obviously, I beat the odds)

If you ARE going to tan... PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE see a dermatologist and have any/all freckles/moles examined. Trust me, I KNOW how tempting it is. Every year when we got to WDW, a small part of me thinks how bad would it be to go a couple of times.

What she said. I was diagnosed 3B a little over three years ago. A tan is NOT worth it!

 

[Jenn4615]

I used to tan too. I just turned 34. I have had surgery twice now to remove skin cancer. I am sure it was from all the tanning. I really want to tan too but that little bug gets in my ear every year that I shouldn't. Try the jergans atleast first.

 

[purvislets]

I think I may be the only person in the world who can mess up even the self tanner lotion. I put it on last night and my ankles and feet are so dark already after just one application, and my legs have splotches where you can tell I added more. Can someone tell me how to fix it?

Using a loofah in the shower a few times should do the trick. May take a few days to come off completely. That's the good thing about self tanner... not permanent and no damage!

I've been considering getting the jergens lotion, and since there are so many of you who recommend it I think I'll pick some up next time I'm at the store!

 

[Schmeck]

Jergens just came out with a 3 day quicker process - still looks better than the one-day super orange stuff, but only takes 3 days to reach peak color. It streaks a bit more easily, but I'm getting pretty good at blending in the steaks on the next application!

BTW, I'm another melanoma survivor, who tanned when the booths first came out - it was advertised as a "safe tan" back then. Now tanning beds will be labeled as carcinogens.

 

[dislaney]

Please do yourself a favor and use the Jergens lotion.

 

[tartemis]

I am a sun worshiper -- there is nothing that I love more than laying out in the sun and getting and turning a nice golden brown.

That being said --- I, too, have to warn AGAINST using tanning beds. It is an unnatural way to get sun and I do believe they cause skin cancer -- both my brother and I had basal cell skin cancer in our twenties and because of the location of the cancers we both have no doubt that it was the tanning beds that caused it.

Despite my previous diagnosis, I still tan today -- but, I do it very gradually, the good old-fashioned way.

 

[krcit]

I just read in Glamour today that tanning in a tanning bed even once before the age of 30 increases your risk of skin cancer by 75%

 

[robinb]

I'll jump up on that soapbox with you!! Glad that you beat the odds!

I'll jump up too if there is room. I am a redhead from WI and I made the very poor choice to use a tanning bed once. The resulting burn in only 15 minutes was so bad I ended up going to the doctor! I had a burn on my BUTT (since you don't want "tan lines"). Owie.

Don't do it. People don't care if your legs glow in the dark. Seriously.

 

[PebblesMK]

I'm thinking that us Wisconsinites are known for our corpse white skin. I'd skip the tanning bed. I too wanted some color and used one and the first time I went two minutes and broke out in the most horrendously itchy rash. It was awful. I never did get tan as it wasn't worth it to me. There are so many lotions out there that are good for some color. Jergens lotion is great for the subtle color and I like banana boat for the quick color. Love your skin and protect it.