Sunbeds and fake tan....

moreofthegoodstuff

Well I'm getting married in three weeks and looking a bit pale (I was hoping for some sunbathing sessions but that definitely hasn't happened with all this dodgy weather!) so I was thinking about doing some sunbeds...

I have always been on camp never but I'm wondering if a couple of sessions each week for the next three weeks is going to cause me any issues later on in life?!!? I know sunbeds are bad if you hammer them but will a few really cause any issues?

I've thought about fake tan/spray tan but it never looks very natural on me and I think I'd rather stay pale.

What are you all doing? :T

robpw2

i would sa going on a sun bed is dangerous , i had a st tropez once that looked great

booter

I'm not sure that a couple of sun bed sessions per week would be enough over 3 weeks to make any noticable difference If you can afford it, why not try a spray tan first (soon!) - if it's no good, then by the time you get married, it's worn off - and you'll know for sure if the colour's OK. Or talk to the staff wherever you're planning to have a spray tan and explain your concerns - they may give you some pointers. If they're not willing to talk, don't use them! HTH

moreofthegoodstuff

I'm not sure if it will booter but I normally tan in the sun really easily so I thought it would be the same with a sunbed. (I'm probably wrong!) I don't even know how many minutes I'm supposed to do it for, I've never had the need to use them before and always been totally against it :-P

Hollie84

I have used sunbeds since i was 16,not constantly just on the odd occassion,mainly when im due to go on a night out,id say atleast 6 sessions in the next 3 weeks and u will see a difference,at the end of the day,everything these days are bad for u,if u stopped doing this and eating that because its bad for you, you would never enjoy life.
just do 6 min sessions and use some cream before hand, which u can buy in sachets at most tanning shops.i have 4 weeks left and plan on going on every week for the next 4 weeks,i have a little advantage though as im half portugese but like to have a lovely holiday looking glow about me spray tans looks great for about the first 3 days then they go like an orange peel on your skin,looks dreadful.ive tried many fake tans I.E like st tropez and there just the same.

KatieJane

I agree with the sunbed camp. I don't go on them often but maybe a few times before holiday. I don't go on for very long and never enough to make me look realllly tanned but just not lilly white.

However, make sure you know that you are not over doing it - I was going on a sunbed at my gym and the lamps hadn't been changed for a while - however I then went to a tanning salon and the beds' lamps had just been changed - I went on for the same amount of time as the gym beds and I burnt badly!! I'm a little bit scared now and would think twice about how long I go on for next year.

Im not a great fan of spray tans - I just hate the fake look.

Hollie84

KatieJane wrote: »

I agree with the sunbed camp. I don't go on them often but maybe a few times before holiday. I don't go on for very long and never enough to make me look realllly tanned but just not lilly white.

However, make sure you know that you are not over doing it - I was going on a sunbed at my gym and the lamps hadn't been changed for a while - however I then went to a tanning salon and the beds' lamps had just been changed - I went on for the same amount of time as the gym beds and I burnt badly!! I'm a little bit scared now and would think twice about how long I go on for next year.

Im not a great fan of spray tans - I just hate the fake look.

I always put one token in first so 3 mins then come out have a drink of water and put the other 3 in then,breaks it up a little,ive used the same shop for about 8 years and she has the tubes changed when there due to be done but always lets u know.OP best thing to do is just ask and use one token at a time,that way if u feel 3 mins is enough just hand the other one back and have your mins credited.i but a block of 72mins as it works out cheaper in the long run O asnd dont forget OP dont shower for a good few hrs after u have to let the tan develop :cool:

Torry_Quine

There's nothing wrong with being your natural colour and with the weather this year it won't look wrong.

If you must have a tan then please don't use a sun-bed and get a spray tan. Your health is far more important.

booter

moreofthegoodstuff wrote: »

I'm not sure if it will booter but I normally tan in the sun really easily so I thought it would be the same with a sunbed. (I'm probably wrong!) I don't even know how many minutes I'm supposed to do it for, I've never had the need to use them before and always been totally against it :-P

Hollie84 wrote: »

I always put one token in first so 3 mins then come out have a drink of water and put the other 3 in then,breaks it up a little,ive used the same shop for about 8 years and she has the tubes changed when there due to be done but always lets u know.OP best thing to do is just ask and use one token at a time,that way if u feel 3 mins is enough just hand the other one back and have your mins credited.i but a block of 72mins as it works out cheaper in the long run O asnd dont forget OP dont shower for a good few hrs after u have to let the tan develop :cool:

In my experience, until you know the sunbed, you can't guarantee not to burn. Also, if you have 3 minutes, your skin may feel OK to do another 3, but the skin continues to "cook" for a while after, so if you absolutely have to go with the sunbed route, I'd recommend 3 minutes only to start with - not 6. I'd never do 6 on an "untested" one - I did it once and burnt (only slightly, but enough to feel it:() and IMO lie down beds are different from stand ups - lie downs can be more intense (and can reach areas that don't normally see the sun when you're sunbathing on the beach IYSWIM:)). Once you've had a few sessions, and know how your skin behaves, then consider upping the time. And plenty of moisturiser afterwards!

However, having said all of that (which I hope makes sense!) I'd still go with the spray tan - it's safer and more "adjustable" (in that if you have one and it's not dark enough, you can always go darker - and if you have one that's too dark, with enough scrubbing it's removable:)). The only down side is that it's trial and error - and you're running out of time to have too many trials/errors:) Which is why you'd need to select your tanning place - make sure they answer all your questions/concerns - maybe ask if you can have a test patch(es)? (Don't know if that's something they'd do, but it can't hurt to ask!)
Good luck!

faithless

I'm planning on going on a sunbed, I haven't been this year yet, but usually try and go a few times before I go on holiday. The key is little and often - ie don't be tempted to go for a long time on your first couple or you might burn, but you would really see the difference if you had 2 a week for 3 weeks. I agree with the ones saying get 3 mins or so and see how you feel - I use a fairly weak stand-up booth and know 6 minutes is fine, whereas a lie down one I tried 5mins was a bit too long so I got out.

If you do go, make sure your skin is in good condition first so you catch a tan and it lasts - shave, exfoliate and moisturise a day or so before, then moisturise after you've been. Make sure you use goggles, and I tend to either put suncream on my face or put a t-shirt over my head for most of the session as I don't want too many wrinkles! Also if you tan your face you may have to adjust your wedding make up plans.

MrsDrink

Torry_Quine wrote: »

There's nothing wrong with being your natural colour and with the weather this year it won't look wrong.

I agree. :T