Tanning?

R

RBurke

Active Member
Hello.
I was just wondering your opinions on tanning. I know that most people here are focused on health but also on looking good. I go through the decision process every spring about whether or not I will tan. I tan easily so it is hard for me to avoid it. However, I've given it up for the past 3 years. I hate self tanners of all kinds. I can't use them. They are too time consuming and not worth it to me. I know tanning isn't great for your skin and I don't want to look any older than I should. I am getting to an age where I am beginning to see a few wrinkles. I don't want to make it worse by tanning but I also love the way I look with a tan. What are your feelings about it? I've gone to the tanning bed twice this week but only stayed for 5 minutes each time. I see people in there looking like leather and wonder if they aren't concerned about their skin. To tan or not to tan...that is the question.
 
Hi RBurke,
Any kind of tanning, I'm sure you know, is dangerous to your health. My father at the age of 56 died from malignant melanoma. I think fair, white skin is in. Because of the skin cancer in my family I have to be very careful in the sun and I personally would never go to a tanning booth. My opinion is beauty is from within and if you stay fit, eat well and are healthy that's all that matters. Just my 2 cents. Amy Jo
 
I also have skin cancer in my family. I've had it myself (basal cell carcinoma). No way, no how would I go out and tan myself intentionally. I'm 42 and don't have a line or wrinkle on my face because I've not exposed it to the sun without sunscreen.

There are a lot of good sunless tanners out there. Here's a good website to look at:

http://www.sunless.com
 
I understand your dilemma. My legs are horrible looking and I also like to tan to make them look better. They're not just white, but you can see veins and scars and such. Yuck. But, I too worry about the effects of tanning. Consider this:

I have a friend who is 33 yrs old and has worshipped the sun and tanning beds since I can remember. Her neck is already wrinkled; that is, the skin is loose. I was so surprised when I noticed it.

My problem with self tanners is that I have to shave my legs everyday and I seem to shave the tan off!

Jeanne
 
I've used several different sunless tanners. Some work fairly well but it is time consuming and I can't ever get my hands and feet right. I used to tan when I was younger. I was a life guard when I was in my teens but I quit tanning my face when I hit 20 and then eventually I quit tanning. Every spring, I want to look tan. I don't expect to be dark but I want to have a little color but for the past few years I've just avoided the urge. But once again, I've started wearing shorts and sun dresses and I can't help but desire the tan. However, I am scared of all skin cancers and I don't want the aging affects. I see all of my friends still tanning. I wonder if I am being too uptight about it. So I went to the tanning bed this week but only twice. After seeing all the people there using those tanning accelerators and looking red when they come out, I get nervous. The tanning accelerators contain alpha hydroxy acids many times to make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Funny, alpha hydroxy lotions all say to use sun screen. I didn't use an accelerator and only stayed for 5 minutes thinking the whole time I was giving myself cancer. It's horrible. I don't have skin cancer in my family but I know it can happen to anyone.
 
I've also got the varicose vein problem. The back of my right leg looks like there's a big zipper on it. LOL

I wish there was something you could do about it other than surgery. I'm way to chicken for that.
 
Your friends who are doing that are nuts, quite honestly. But I know when you're young, you think these things won't happen to you.

I'm in Texas where there's a big body culture and tan culture. It's hard to resist it, I know. I tell myself I'm doing the "Victorian" look, LOL. Of course, that doesn't go well with muscularity. The worst part is I can tan if I want to. My skin will do it. But the dermatologist who cut the third (I've had it three times!) one off said I was really being foolish if I did it.
 
You are 42 with no wrinkles? I am 29. I don't have wrinkles yet but I can see that my face is changing. I don't have to color my hair yet though. I've used sunless tanners on my face for years. I can get it right and only have to use it about twice a week. Did you ever tan as a teenager? Was the skin cancer you had caused by the sun or did it just happen? I am curious because you said you didn't tan but you still got the skin cancer. Do you use anti-aging creams or anything on your face? My mom saw a big difference in her skin when she started using alpha hydroxy lotions. I wish I could just be happy without the tan. I am sure it will pass. I do this every year and just end up not tanning.
 
I didn't "lie out" with the intention of tanning but I played competitive tennis and softball, so was out in the sun a lot and we spent summers at the beach in Florida which didn't help.

I've got fair skin and red hair so I can get skin cancer pretty easily. I just started this year using the AHA and BHA stuff because I want to keep my face in good shape as long as I can.

But of course, you never get everything! I had to start coloring my hair younger than you are now. I had gray and white streaks in it very early. Runs in the family.
 
Don't forget that just like body shape and muscularity, a substantial part of skin aging is genetic. Blondes and redheads tend to have skin that ages more from an equivalent amount of sun than do people with olive skin, for example. And sunlight is good for mood and for acquiring Vitamin D, so 30 minutes or so a day is probably healthy for everyone. People with olive skin, or light-skined African-Americans, can take more sun-abuse without showing much damage. This is what a dermatologist told me.
 
I've heard that too. My skin is considered olive I guess. I am partially American Indian among many other things. My father and grandfather have worked outdoors most of their lives. Their skin is very dark where it is exposed to sun but like milk in other areas. I tan very easily and have rarely burned in the sun but there has been a few times as a teenager I burned. I've only peeled once or twice. Ironically, my dad and grandfather have never had any type of skin cancer in spite of all the sun exposure. Sun screen is a foreign concept to them. Thanks for the input.
 
I too, used to feel as you do. I stopped tanning (the intentional kind) about 10-12 years ago, when I was 24 years old because of the brown sunspots I was getting. I know that you say you hate self-tanners and that they can be quite time-consuming, but for me, they are worth it.

I've found 1 self-tanner in particular that looks so natural and fades just like a suntan would - Au Courant. I don't like the look of my normally very pale skin (I think many women look beautiful with fair skin, but mine just doesn't for some reason), so I self-tan 1x a week. I'm 36 now and have no wrinkles because I stopped tanning in my early 20's - I think the more important reason is definitely health-wise though. Skin cancer runs in my family as well and I want to make sure that I'm not putting myself at needless risk (I always wear a sunscreen of 15-30 SPF).
 
NO!!!!!!

I'm light skinned and do get jealous of the tan girls at the gym. But when I see them go into the tanning booths, I instantly lose respect. You're basically paying for cancer and wrinkles, and it's all for vanity.

Most people regret it when they get older. Chances are you'll have sun spots, freckles, wrinkles, lose elasticity, etc. Plus, you'll have to check your moles to make sure they're ok.

Some girls at my college looks so aged from tanning so much. They say they feel weird if they don't go and complain that they're not dark enough when they're about 50x's darker than me! I have actually read that it can be an addiction. It just seems so stupid and not worth it to me! Please, don't do it! You'll thank yourself when your peers look aged and you have soft, smooth skin!!

PS- I know you hate self-tanners, but there are a lot of great ones out there now!
 
Considered Bronzing Powders?

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Apr-17-02 AT 11:28PM (Est)[/font][p]Hi RBurke,

I've worked in the cosmetic industry for a number of years. Also as a resident make-up artist at a Nordstorm's Department store. As from someone who has seen sun damaged skin PLEASE do not lay in the sun!!!! Skin will show the effects. From wrinkles to dark age spots. It may take years but it will happen. Hydroxy & Retinol products will help to some extent. The BEST thing is prevention.

Have you considered bronzing powders you apply with a brush to your face & body? Personally I think "Lancome" & "Estee Lauder" are some good choices. I'm sure there are other excellent powder bronzers out there!

Please if I may say a few words about self tanners.

Hopefully I can encourage you to use self tanners, I do. I am Very Fair. Without color I can look sickly so I use sunless tan. Also here in the Great Northwest it rains more then we see sun!!!

Sunless Tan can be used 2x a week. Please when you shower exfoliate with a store bought exfoliator. Do face & body. Then apply sunless tan it should take 5 minutes or less to dry. Apply using circlular motions over face and body. I use a deep color even though I am very fair. Try this in the evening before bed. If you don't shower in the evening, exfoliate in the morning then do the sunless tan in the evening.

I know it is time consuming but I view this as pampering myself! I think I'm worth 10 minutes here and there to do something for me.

Hope this helps!
Laura
P.S. Had to edit a "mispeldt" word..he he he
 
Hi, RBurke! I live in Arizona and I often see people with deep dark tans. It surprises me since so much is known about melanoma and it's a very fatal cancer! I know that sunless tanners are a pain but there's no such thing as a healthy tan unless it's the sunless sort. I do have a trick for you. Exfoliate weekly with a combination of equal parts corn meal and honey. Your skin will feel silky and your tan won't blotch. I reapply every 4 days or so and it looks pretty good if I do say so myself! Or use a bronzer. Why risk cancer for a tan? It's time to get out the sunblock!
Bobbi http://www.plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif Chick's Rule!
 
I was wondering about the following: What if you go to the beach and the pool, using sunblock that is 45 to 50? I always put high sunblocks on me and the kids and repeat it every hour. But we still get a tan. Is that bad?
 
I hope not. I use a sunless tanner and also take my boys outside to play alot in the summer, not to mention the beach. I have always used a #30 on them and at least a #15 on me and my husband. I am thinking that small amount with the sunscreen will not hurt us.

Kim
 
I just tried the new Neutrogena Foaming Bronzer and I am very happy with the results. It did not feel moist enough when I first tried it so I put some cocoa butter lotion on first, waited 10 minutes and then applied. Not streaky and very nice color. Now I'll have to see if it starts flaking after a few days. I hope I've found a winner. I am also going to try the Lauder Go Bronze and the Au Courant tanning lotion. Neutrogena is more reasonably priced so I hope it keeps me happy. Lisa
 
Well, I don't worry about the sun I get just from being outside with sunscreen and sensible clothing. I like to be outside, for exercise, or socializing or walking around town. I have olive skin so I probably have some genetic protection, but if I die of skin cancer, so be it. Something's got to get me! Exercise, clean diet, sunscreen, seat belts, vitamins, all of these are fine and dandy, but nothing can protect you from meteorites!!
 
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