tanning

[mechanicalbride]

alright. so i'm the only female on the face of the earth who has never tanned. im as pale as an irish albino. my apt. complex has tanning beds, and i was thinking of using them to get just a little color so i can wear summerish clothes without blinding people. i know they aren't good for you, but a couple of times won't kill me. so, how do you do it? do you put something on? i'm not buying an $80 bottle of tanning spray, so what else can I use? how many times do i go to get a little color? how long of sessions?

[Shea]

I wish I could help you. This irish albino has also never been in a tanning salon or tannig bed in her life.

If I stand near an open window on a sunny day I turn into a rock lobster. really.

[mechanicalbride]

i feel your pain sister.

[Shea]

I burned to a crisp (actual sun poisoning) in band camp once and never again have I hung out in the sun for more than 20 minutes without SPF 8753022462 on.

Even when the burn goes away I am left with red. No brown or tan at all. Are you the same? If I use a bottled tan I turn orange.

[mechanicalbride]

i DO tan eventually, but i always burn first, no matter what. and it isn't a nice golden tan, its this reddish ruddy color. i'm not looking to be christina aguilera, i just want a *little* bit of color so i don't look like a walking corpse.

[sugarbritches]

Don't put a thing on (unless you plan on tanning nekkid--then maybe some sunscreen since you're pale), and follow the directions on the bed (there has to be a sticker on each bed by law)--do not exceed the suggested times if you are not a tanner. If you FEEL like you're burning, get out. Typically, taning bed tan doesn't burn at the time of tanning (unless you get a lotion with a tingle factor) ; it takes awhile to show up which is why they say not to shower for about an hour after (especially if you're using lotion).

SO, again, if you feel a burn get out.

Also, be prepared: I have found that it is my friends with fair skin who tend to turn orange. People with olive skin, including myself, bronze and tan.

[Bogdi]

I get pink too!

http://www.eslkidstuff.com/images/shrimp.gif

[pixievixen]

Run Away!!!

Do Not Tan!!!

Pale Skin Is Beautiful!!!!

[Wicked Butterfly]

I'm another irish albino who has never tanned (on purpose) *L*. But I have spent quite a few summers outdoors so my arms are a little tan.


Just be careful! You could still burn in a tanning bed.

Here is an article I found on bed tanning:
http://www.ivillagehealth.com/experts/womens/qas/0,,165759_151529,00.html

If you decide you still want to do this after reading the article, here is a forum with some advice:
http://www.suntanning.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=2

[Shea]

Bogg-O that is a very accurate picture of me (and you).

I am proud of my skin too. I won't look like a leather bag when I get older.

all the beach bunnies can have thier beach.

[syvvie]

I use a tanning bed in the late winter/early spring. I have an olive/Italian skin tone, and I think I look better with a little bit of color. By the end of winter I'm looking pretty washed out.

Start off with just a few minutes, like 10 minutes or so. Do that once or twice, move up to 12 minutes once or twice, then 15, etc., up to 20 minutes. Don't go any longer than 20, and don't move up to 20 too fast, or you could burn (and those stripe-y tanning bed burns are hella ugly). I never use any kind of spray or anything. My sister always does because her skin is much more fair than mine. If you want to use something, you don't have to buy anything fancy or expensive- any tanning lotion or whatever will work.

The time it will take you to get some color will depend on your skin tone, how long you stay in and how often you do it. I tan super fast, so it only takes me a few sessions, but it takes my sister longer to see results.

And, incidentally, I go in with nothing but a pair of panties, but you may want to cover your nips if you're afraid they'll get toasted. ;)

[mechanicalbride]

orange! good grief. thanks for the tips though, i will give it a shot and see what happens.

pixie- i prefer fair skin too, but you should see me in a bikini. i'm a freak show. the sun glares off me and makes children cry.

[sugarbritches]

Yeah, Syvvie, I think olive skin can get "sallow" by the end of the winter. I HATE feeling jaundiced. It's that yellow undertone. Ugh.

I am and always will be a "tanner," and fully accept the wrinkles, though the women in my family don't seem to wear that way. Everything else goes, but not the skin. HA! While cancer is possible, it's not as likely for people of my skin tone or descent (says the girl who got sick to death of hearing shit and did a big research project).

You think those times are good for a first-time tanner? Her bum'll burn!

[Martini]

I get pink too!

http://www.eslkidstuff.com/images/shrimp.gif
If you look like that , I`m gonna eat you up
mmmmmmmmm shrimp

[Bella]

Speaking of nips, I think I used to just put sunscreen on mine...or maybe I just didn't put lotion on them. Yeah, I think I probably just did the no lotion thing because I wanted them to get a little color.

And as far as times go....I don't know exactly how pale mb is, but I'm very pale, and I think they only let me go 4-5 minutes my first few times, and I had to slowly work my way up. I suppose that also could have been due to the strength of the bulbs.

Wear goggles (or the little sticker things) or sunscreen your lids. Them babies hurt if they burn.

And I haven't been in years, so my info's probably outdated.

[sugarbritches]

Oh, Sinny's right!

What kind of bed is it? Super bed? UVB? UVA? Do you know?

Again, though, all of this info should be on the bed.

If it's UVB Super bed stuff, cut your time down.

[syvvie]

^ I think if she sticks to 10 minutes (or maybe even 8) for her first time, she should probably be ok. My sister usually goes 10 her first few times, and like I said, she always uses some kind of lotion, and she does alright. She usually gets a little pink at first but doesn't really burn, then after a few sessions she browns. Of course, the type of bed and "newness" of the bulbs factor in, too. Really, I'm probably not the person to ask about fair skin and burning, I never go in for less than 15 and never burn.

And yeah, it's important to remember that if you start to feel any kind of burn- get out now. Or even if you feel too hot. There have been a few times, especially if the bed had been used a lot recently and was already hot, when the heat got to be too much and I couldn't last the full 20 minutes.

Nearly all the women on my Mom's side (the Italian side, dontcha know ;)) tan. We all tan really fast and get nice, deep color. And wrinkles? Feh! Not a problem for us. We all look younger than our years. Gran is pushing 70 and could easily pass for 50-something.

[Shea]

my friend works in a tanning salon and told me that just a month ago (she was late for class because of this too, so hold onto your seats) she had to stay later to clean the jizz out of one of the booths. I was grossed out and humored at the same time because she said that the manager had to 'have words' with this customer when he came back. They knew it was him because they clean the beds/booths after each person. Who doesn't have the decency to clean thier own spooge? and why would you do it in the tanning bed in the first place?

Late to math on account of spooge.

[Bogdi]

If you look like that , I`m gonna eat you up
mmmmmmmmm shrimp

that's how I look on my best days! otherwise I look like this [post86]

[Hellfury]

I think I will start tanning once this summer is over. I live in Seattle and I think it will greatly increase my mood. I get down when it starts raining all the time. I don't want it for the tan but more for the mood enhancement.

[sugarbritches]

Late to math on account of spooge.

Best. Excuse. Ever.

haha

[sugarbritches]

Late to math on account of spooge.

Best. Excuse. Ever.

haha

[syvvie]

Eeeewwwwwwwww! Jizz in the tanning bed? Oh barf! Jesus, I'm paranoid about leaving sweat on the bed. I always wipe it down really well after I get out, even though I know they're going to go in a scrub it down after I leave.

And you would think he'd be afraid of getting the tip of his cock burned or something. ;)

[Moz girl]

Well, I use the standup ones because I HATE the beds. The creeking of the plastic panics me and I'm scared the lid is going to fall on me and I'll never get out. Scary. I feel way more in control (and roomy) in the standup ones.
I go to a place that has high intensity beds so I just go in about 8 minutes at a time. This is only my 2nd year tanning. I went to California last year and before I went, I bought some tanning sessions. I got REALLY dark but that was after about 10 - 15 8 minute sessions.
Lotion is VERY important. It really enhances your tan and makes it last longer while moisturizing. They can be quite expensive but I just buy the cheapest one (approx. $40.00) You're not allowed to use regular tanning lotions (store-bought) while using a tanning bed because it apparenly errodes the plastic.
IMPORTANT: Put sunblock on you nipples!!!! I burnt my nips so bad the first time I went. It was not pleasant. Also, you have to buy goggles. (they're really cheap)
Try not to shower right afterwards. Wait a few hours. After the shower, put on a moisturizer. Hempz makes a great one!
Hope this helps. :)
*edit* P.S I forgot to mention: I NEVER thought I was able to tan. I'd always burn and peel. The tanning beds are different. I hardly peel and I turn a nice shade of brown.

[Shea]

Best. Excuse. Ever.

haha

Lady, when she said it I nearly fell over in my tiny desk.

[Qui? Whee!]

You definitely want to start slow and work your way up. The most I'd do for your first time is 10 minutes. Less if you feel like you're burning. Tanning bed burns are NO fun.

[swirly]

I'm amazed people value tanned skin over possible illness and death through skin cancer...

This girl will be staying pale...

swirly

xxx

[devnull]

eeek. don't tan.

be a pale albino!

[Qui? Whee!]

I used to do tanning beds... I haven't at all this year. After starting out with the skincare business I guess I've learned better of it.

[mechanicalbride]

well, im not looking to turn into a roasted chicken. i just want a LITTLE BIT of color so that i can wear shorts and a swimsuit without looking like a complete freak. i don't intend on tanning past that, the dark look is not for me. even when i'm relatively "tan" i still look light or fair by comparison. i'm not even fair right now, i'm white and pasty. i'll go a couple times with the recommendations everyone has given and if that doesn't work out i'll just buy some self-tanning lotion or something.

[weepingsabicu]

Warning- i've been pretty uncomfortably burned by only 10 minutes in a bed- and I thought I was being safe and that I wouldn't even get any color! I know it sounds crazy, but I think you should try 5 minutes and work your way up.

[RobotRollCall]

Hi, I'm here to join the Irish albinos?

I got a sunburn that faded to a dark brown mess of freckles that took two years to fade. Eeek.

[Gog]

MB, why not just buy a bottle of decent fake tan? Then you'll have your desired colour without the health risks. Seriously, if you have the kind of skin that has to burn before turning brown, you shouldn't be tanning.

[Lucretia]

Normally I'm so white that I'm almost transparent, and I've been out in the sun for prolonged periods of time this summer. And you know where all the color goes? My feet. My feet have flip-flop tans that have lasted for months and months. Nowhere else on me will retain any color whatsoever.

Yeah, I joke that I'm starting from the feet up. :p But I really have just accepted my paleness.

[whirlygirl]

Ugh, this tanning bed stuff grosses me out. I like being pale.

I mean, I wear SPF 30 just to drive to work!

[Jenn.]

i've always prided myself on never using a tanning bed. i've been tempted a few times, but i just don't think i should. a couple people in my family have had skin cancer, so i think it's just not a good idea (yeah, i'm Irish descent, but i've always tanned nicely if done in moderation).

[DrOwNeD wOrLd]

I never ever cared about tanning. I used to always make fun of the people who did, I still do. Except that last year a Total Tan opened in the spot next to the store I work. So last october I went in and tanned for 10 minutes. No lotion, got some color. Then I went in the very next day for 15 minutes. Thanks Total Tan girl for not warning me that I'd turn almost purple! I got like, tan line burn scars for awhile on my ass. That was fun. So then I was afraid to tan. But I decided that I want an instant tan and don't really have the time to sit around outside and wait to look pretty. So I'll be going a buncha times this week. I don't really want to have to buy lotion though, even though I know I should...I don't plan on going more than a week though. Sigh.