Tanning

[summerlove69]

I am rather fair skinned and was considering going to a tanning salon to get a "base" tan before hitting the sun of the Caribbean this summer. Has anyone had any experience with this? Is it a good idea? Do tanning beds have a weight limit? My boyfriend may go too, but he's 300+.

 

Thanks,

Bridget

[Bsan1221]

I am rather fair skinned and was considering going to a tanning salon to get a "base" tan before hitting the sun of the Caribbean this summer. Has anyone had any experience with this? Is it a good idea? Do tanning beds have a weight limit? My boyfriend may go too, but he's 300+.

 

Thanks,

Bridget

 

Having very fair skin myself I can tell you i've done everything that is out there to get a tan (tanning bed, going out in the sun everyday for 15 minutes for a month, self tanning lotions, etc) .. Nothing has ever worked. .I have ended up being severly burned or my skin has turned orange...

 

Does your skin burn easily when your in the sun..??? If so regardless of what you do a tanning bed wont help... (just my experience)

[kjunea]

I have a fair complection also and I always try to go get a base tan. The people working at the tanning salon will get you started with how many minutes, etc. And they have some stand-up models, so that your boyfriend could use them. There are also some "high-intensity" units that cost more (3 visits for $60 here) that are very sturdy, with only bulbs on one side and you lay on a platform. You have to flip over halfway through with them.

 

HTH

 

June

[venusjems]

I tan easily but if you do decide to go i would suggest that you make sure you use plenty of lotion after you get out. Tanning beds make my skin very very dry.

They also have that new spray (airbrush) tan, but I dont think it prevents you from burning (or tanning) once you get out in the sun.

[derf5585]

I have a fair complection also

 

I have an unfair complection.

[wrp96]

I used to burn after about 10 minutes in the sun. Usually at least 3 months before a cruise or a trip to a sunny area I start tanning. I do a low intensity bed for a short amount of time a couple of times a week to get a base tan. Then when I go, I still wear sunscreen. I don't really get tan, but I no longer burn as easily. Also, my skin has improved from the small amounts of sun it is now able to get (less blemishes, etc).

[Tweety]

I go a few times before I cruise, mostly so my legs aren't so white. I don't think the tanning beds keep you from burning. You can still burn from the tropical sun even with a tan. Make sure you use plenty of sunscreen. I tan easily at home, but would still burn a little where I miss with the sunscreen. When I do go to the tanning salon, I do the stand up, it's only 10 minutes, and you don't get all sweaty.

[anigru]

For my last cruise, in May this year, I decided to go tanning before, so I wouln't burn (cruise before I burned). I started at the beginning of Feb and I listened to the advice from the tanning people and started slowly. I got a really nice base.

It was the first time on a cruise that I didn't burn. Will go tanning again before my next cruise in Feb. 2006.

[weswas]

My husband has this bad habit of going out in the sun our first day of cruising getting really burned and then he says "its over " now I will tan so that day he is hurting taking tylenol around the clock but at least it is over for him. This year I MADE him tan. It worked for him he went to a tanning salon for three weeks before hand. He got a great base tan and then NO BURN so it worked for him. he will continue to do this on furture cruises. I however am Italian and have olive skin all year and I tan nicely so no worry for me I did bun once in St Marteen I was shocked myself not a bad burn but more red than I prefer No peeling but it did sting that night so.... I say go for the base tan

[embpsu03]

I tan easily, but last year on my cruise I burned. This year I went tanning three months before I cruised. I however did burn a bit on the cruise , nonly on my shoulders, but no where else. So tanning beds work, but you still need to wear plenty of sunscreen. i went from wearing no sunscreen (day 1) to 50SPF (day 3)

[kjunea]

I have an unfair complection.

 

I heard that about you. I thought it was supposed to be a secret! :rolleyes:

 

June

[Cajun Gal]

Go to the tanning salon. I'm very fair also and started about 3 months before my cruise. I went about every other day for a few minutes to start and finally worked my way to 15 minutes. I had a very nice color on my legs so I could wear shorts and didn't burn on my cruise but I used sunscreen. Start out very slowly and increase your minutes slowly. If you get red, cut back your minutes. It's very easy to burn in those beds, too. Good luck and enjoy your cruise.

[*CruiseFan*]

My boyfriend burns more than anything else (sorry honey if you've read that but you know it's true), however this year we both started laying out in April (we live in Houston where you can do that, haha). He's actually tan! Not like, really brown tan but he has a really nice color to him. I've put tanning oil on him with SPF 4 and he didn't burn from that, so we're hoping that the fact that he has tanned some before we go will be his saving grace once we get into the caribbean sun this coming weekend (YIPPEE!).

 

I'd tan a little bit if I were you but if you can take the time on the weekend to just lay out I'd try that first, then pay for the beds :)

[summerlove69]

My boyfriend burns more than anything else (sorry honey if you've read that but you know it's true), however this year we both started laying out in April (we live in Houston where you can do that, haha). He's actually tan! Not like, really brown tan but he has a really nice color to him. I've put tanning oil on him with SPF 4 and he didn't burn from that, so we're hoping that the fact that he has tanned some before we go will be his saving grace once we get into the caribbean sun this coming weekend (YIPPEE!).

 

I'd tan a little bit if I were you but if you can take the time on the weekend to just lay out I'd try that first, then pay for the beds :)

 

I live in New York, so laying out was not an option until late last week. Plus by the time I get home the sun is going down. I will try the tanning beds. Thanks all!

[basketballmom]

DH and I started going to tanning salons about 3 weeks before each vacation (cruise or land based). So far the base tans we have gotten at the salons have kept us from burning. Of course we almost always use a SPF 30 or greater because the caribbean sun and sun rays bouncing from the ocean can be very intense. Rather spend the moolah beforehand and not burn on vacation.

[GrammyJill]

I go to the tanning bed! I am a red head with very fair skin. Make sure if you do go you follow the instructions. It sounds lame but when you start only go 2 - 4 minutes. Each time you do not burn in the tanning bed add 2 more minutes the next time. Within a few weeks you will have a great tan.

 

I do still get some pink spots when I'm in intense sun, but no where near like I would prior to tanning beds.

 

Hey, another idea is the "bronzer" beds. Supposedly you can't burn in them.

[OC Mom]

I am very fair, blonde hair and green eyes. I wanted a base for my Carib cruise also and started tanning at the salon 2 months before the cruise. I started slow and now can do the max in a level 3 bed. I am BROWN now. I plan on wearing a SPF 30 sunscreen on the cruise. Since I'm already brown, I don't have to worry about lowering my SPF to try and get "some color".:D

[cruisinmaymay]

This is right up my alley, I owned a tanning salon here in my hometown. I am also Smart Tan Certified. There fore I should be able to help.

 

Getting a base tan is perfect idea, your skin does tan just at its own pace. For example, I am very fair and if I remove my watch you can see that I have recieved some sun because of the mark left behind.

 

When you start tanning, go to a reputable salon, look for Certified Tanning Specialist, they may not all be Smart Tan but you will definetly have some one who is certified in your area.

 

Do not do more than the time the salon tells you, if they have fresh bulbs or if they use high pressure beds 6 minutes may not seem like a long time but after a shower you will see the results.

 

Also, use a lotion, moist skin tans better than dry, all of you who tan will recognize this because your tummies are always so dark. This area of the body is never exposed to the sun until summer and therefore stays very moist, so it tans nicely.

 

Finally, don't freak out over the price of lotions, they are worth it and you can get some fairly inexpensive ones.

 

If you have any special questions I can help you with let me know

 

As for air brush tan, that is not a real tan, you can burn with it just as if you had no sun, however they are pretty and that is what I usually do before a cruise.

[OC Mom]

Also, use a lotion, moist skin tans better than dry, all of you who tan will recognize this because your tummies are always so dark. This area of the body is never exposed to the sun until summer and therefore stays very moist, so it tans nicely.

 

As for air brush tan, that is not a real tan, you can burn with it just as if you had no sun, however they are pretty and that is what I usually do before a cruise.

 

I also read that your tummy tans better because areas of the body with a lot of blood flow/near organs tan better. Like the groin, next to the swimsuit bottoms.

 

I have heard that salt water eats away at a spray on tan so they won't last through the cruise. Maybe if you stay out of the water it would stay fresh looking.

[lynyrd]

Just remember, as most tanning salons will tell you, If you do not tan from the sun, you will not tan from a tanning bed.

[MTinGA]

I am fair skinned and decided to try a tanning bed this year pre cruise. I have tried the airbrush tan and was not happy...if you have dry skin like me it does not look very nice (even when I exfoliate it looked splotchy) And if you do not keep it up constantly, tan sloughs off with skin and you get the rusty look (dirty) I started in tanning bed at 8 minutes,skipped a day, added 2 minutes, skipped a day, and increased until I worked up to 20 minutes. I also used a lotion/bronzer from the salon. I thought this would be a waste of money, but it helps by keeping you super hydrated and deposits a little color along with tan. I just got the unlimited tan for a month, and that was enough. By the last week, I was going everyday for 20 minutes. If it does not work, then you are not out of a whole lot of money. Also just remember if you get that tight, dry, burning feeling, just get out! You know you are burning and you do not want to over do it. Good luck!

 

Also forgot to say that I am not aware of a weight limit. I have a friend who is 300+ pounds and has not had a problem with tanning bed. You just close it as far as body will allow!

[colette5479]

This is right up my alley, I owned a tanning salon here in my hometown. I am also Smart Tan Certified. There fore I should be able to help.

 

Getting a base tan is perfect idea, your skin does tan just at its own pace. For example, I am very fair and if I remove my watch you can see that I have recieved some sun because of the mark left behind.

 

When you start tanning, go to a reputable salon, look for Certified Tanning Specialist, they may not all be Smart Tan but you will definetly have some one who is certified in your area.

 

Do not do more than the time the salon tells you, if they have fresh bulbs or if they use high pressure beds 6 minutes may not seem like a long time but after a shower you will see the results.

 

Also, use a lotion, moist skin tans better than dry, all of you who tan will recognize this because your tummies are always so dark. This area of the body is never exposed to the sun until summer and therefore stays very moist, so it tans nicely.

 

Finally, don't freak out over the price of lotions, they are worth it and you can get some fairly inexpensive ones.

 

If you have any special questions I can help you with let me know

 

As for air brush tan, that is not a real tan, you can burn with it just as if you had no sun, however they are pretty and that is what I usually do before a cruise.

 

Since you used to own a salon, can you recommend a good bronzer that has a cooling agent instead of the tingle? I'm using Emerald Bay but it doesn't seem to be getting me as dark as I would like. Thanks!

[MrPete]

I am fair and put on the 30+ SPF. Wife is darker and uses oil.

 

She lays in the sun, I avoid the sun.

 

I end up darker.

 

Go figure.

[purplbuttaflie]

i use a bronzer with a cooling agent named bipolar and i love it.

[glrounds]

I'm going to date myself here, but in Southern California it was popular a decade or two ago to use Baby Lotion mixed with Iodine. Has anybody ever heard of this ? :confused: The baby lotion moisturizes your skin and helps it tan and the iodine gives you a temporary "fake" tan, I guess.

 

I'm a roofing contractor, so I never have to worry about a tan. Matter of fact, I'm starting to see some sun damage on my arms and hands from years in Southern California's sun (not to mention my face looks like an old leather purse). :rolleyes:

 

I just wondered if some still do this? :confused: I lived in Seal Beach back then right on the ocean (100 yards of sand between my front steps and the Pacific) and this was a very popular tanning combination at that time. It seemed all the gals used this method.