Do you TAN? (jeans, black hair, shoulder, legs)

[AZtoLV]

What about "spray tanning" like at a salon or something? Is that safe?

[RDSLOTS]

Please heed my advice, and learn from my mistakes, and do NOT tan.


As a young woman, with an olive-complexion, dark hair and dark eyes, who tanned easily, and well, I spent summers out in the sun at the beach, and never gave it a second thought. I did notice, though, even then, that the friends of my mother, who did exactly what I was doing, looked a good 15+ years older than my mother, who could not tan -- she was too fair, and all she ever did was burn.

I don't think there is anything such as a 'safe tan.' If we were meant to be tanned, we would have been born darker, don't you think? The irony of the tan looking 'healthy!'

My husband and I spent our youths on a beach, or on a sailboat, and he makes trips to the dermatologist almost monthly -- never longer than about 3-6 months between visits -- to have things looked at, and removed. He has had some basal cell carcinomas. Like me, he tans easily, and well.


Now, in my early 50s, I see age spots on my face and hands, and the damage those 'beautiful summer tans' caused. There is also supposition that tanning contributes to rosacea, and I am most unhappy with battling what are not rosy cheeks, or a flush from embarrassment.

[115db]

I would like to , but just to add a hint of colour. There are sunless tanning products Id like to try, since my job is indoor and I dont get out much, but this summer we (the family and me) are planning occaisional trips to the beach, which for me is now only an hour away rather than a state away.

[Shopaholic]

I do not tan. Sometimes I'll use the Jergens lotion that gives you some color, but that is as dark as I go.

[Ohiogirl81]

I'm starting to see signs of sun damage on my skin as well after nearly 50 years of sun-worshipping. I use a lot more sunscreen than I used to -- which used to be none at all.

Not keen on the sunless tanning stuff, either. I'll get a hint of a tan in the summer and leave it at that. The chemicals in the sunless tanning stuff scare me just about as much as a sunburn. So I'll stay reasonably pale all summer and rejoice in healthier skin.

[southernnaturelover]

Simply mowing the lawn during the summer keeps me tanned enough. I have used a tanning bed a couple of times during the winter to chase away the "winter blahs" though.

[kaykay]

Originally Posted by anifani821

Never tan! Stopped tanning at 18 when I noticed the women who played golf at the club had wrinkled up skin whereas my grandmother who was 30 years older than they did not - she wore a hat and gloves out in her garden!

I use self tanning lotion - especially on my legs. Lightly on arms.

Ditto. I am very light-skinned, and for me to get a "tan" requires IMO too much sun damage. I do think excessive tanning ages your skin prematurely.
In order to go without hose, wear capris etc, in the summer, I do use a self-tanning lotion on my legs/arms as anifani said.

The best one I have found I think is by Hawaiian Tropics. (To me the scent of this one is much more pleasant than with others primarily.)

[Brian.Pearson]

Nobody should be getting tans on purpose. Many will have skin damage which show up as spots, later on. Girls should know better before "laying out" and if they are out in the sun for any appreciable time, they should use a good sunblock, replenishing as needed. One application does not last more than awhile, though I can't give specifics. I use sunblocks which are rated at least a 45, if I'm hitting golf balls during the summer, or whatever.

BTW, I've read that most sun damage is done by the age of 18.

[appalachiangirl]

I tend to burn rather than tan (my skin is fair). I've never tried any products to give me a cosmetic tan. I worry more about sunburn, so I just learned to accept my pale skin and use sunblocks.

[Grasonville]

Originally Posted by southernjewishgal

Are you tan? Do you sun tan? Use a tanning salon? Sunless tanner?

Every year I tell myself that I will quit tanning because of the damage it will do to my skin but (small voice) I look BETTER tan than pale and so do spring and summer clothes colors on me so I continue - and I too heard that the damage is done as a child - not what you do as an adult - so all those Coppertone summers at the beach digging to China in the hot sun are what will be the problem