rkellyh

I'll be vacationing in Cancun for 10 days beginning May 21st and I need your advice...

I didn't want to waste anyone's time with a repeat question, but it seems like most of the "HELP" questions come from people with Type I skin... I think I'm a type II (see below)...

Skin Type Analysis

What is the natural color of your skin?
Reddish-white

What is your natural hair color?
Brown maybe dark brown

What is your eye color?
Brown/Green mix

How many freckles do you naturally have on your untanned body?
Some now... had a lot when I was kid though, but most of them faded with age.

Which best describes your genetic heritage?
Typical American mut...
45% Irish
45% German/Austrian
10% Other (English, Native American, etc.)

Which best describes your SUNBURN potential?
Usually burn but can tan

Which best describes your TANNING potential?
Can tan lightly

So based on all of that, I'm looking to all of you for suggestions... I live in the San Francisco, Bay Area... so I pretty much have all options available (i.e. traditional beds, high pressure beds, mystic tan, etc.). Given that I have about a month and a half before I leave, what would your suggestions be for an "optimal tanning plan"? No matter what I think I'll do the mystic tan at least once right before my trip... so I guess my question really is what combination of traditional and high pressure sessions would you suggest? Any particular products?

Thanks!!!!

JohnnyComeLately

You mention having a month, but then also mention Mystic. What are your tanning goals? Do you want to look max tan BEFORE getting there? Get a base tan to reduce chance of burning your first day there? Want your max tan AFTER coming back?

If the answer is yes to the first, spray tan . If not, don't waste your money on spray because: doesn't count as base tan, and will fade before the end of your vacation (typ. last 5-7 days). I'd say your goals will dictate the best tanning "plan". If the answer is yes to all three, a good mix of HP and traditional will get you there. Don't waste time with base beds and hit a level 2 or 3 and augment with 2 or 3 HP sessions. Lotions will also be critical in a time critical situation. I'd suggest seeing what local salons carry and talk to them. I'd hate to sell you on Designer Skin and then you just get frustrated because the locals only carry CalTan (or whatever).

rkellyh

I would say my goals are all three. I should probably start out by saying that I'm pretty much casper white right now (okay, that might be an exageration, since I'm not exactly milky white like Nicole Kidman).

I mostly want to look good walking around the beach... don't want to blind anybody! Beyond that, I also don't want to burn while I'm there... I'll be using SPF lotion while I'm there, but I also know I'll be spending most of my time on the beach, and I'm not goint to reapply as often as I should.

I went to Hawaii last year and did Mystic once right before I went... I was generally happy with the tan, but I wasn't as dark as I'd like to be (again, starting out very white)... I also didn't like that it faded before I returned home (though I obviously got more color while I was in Hawaii).

In a nut shell, I guess my goal is to get as tan as possible using UV light before my trip... and then use Mystic simply to enhance my color right before I leave. Again, tanning doesn't come easy for me... it takes me longer than most, and I burn if go too long too early.

Given all of that, what do you all think would be the best "plan" for me?

Should I start with high pressure or traditional beds? About how many times do you think I shoud I go on one type of bed before I switch to the other (if at all)? Should I start by going with the minimum time allowed? Are there any products better for "difficult" tanners like myself? Also, sorry for my ignorance, but I don't know what you mean by "Don't waste time with base beds and hit a level 2 or 3 and augment with 2 or 3 HP sessions"... I know the difference between traditional and HP beds, but not the differece between base, level 2, and level 3 beds.

Thanks again for all your help!

Ezliving_Jim

Get the best VHR tan that you can now and pack as much sunscreen for Cancun as you can carry.

rkellyh

VHR?

JohnnyComeLately

As Jim mentioned, a level 2 or 3 is usually a bed with VHR bulbs. Our level 2 has them just in the canopy, and then normal bulbs in the base. Our level 3 has about 15% more bulbs and they are ALL VHR (Cosmedico is a good bulb if you notice the brand name, but don't make that the basis of your buying decision). Base beds normally have much less bulbs and only an "unwise owner" would put reflector bulbs in them (they cost around 10-25% more in some cases). That's why I said skip them, because you're going to need to tan longer.

I'd suggest, given your fair skin, you hit the High Pressure more and augment with VHR. If you have a salon with an UltraBronz, it's mostly UVA which is what gives you the bronze color (tan). You need UVB to create Melanin, but given your fair skin, beds with high UVA will get you tan faster and less chance of burning. Without physically seeing you, it's hard to give specifics, but I'd say hit the VHR for a week to get a base started and the skin making Melanin. Continue with the VHR, but scale back to once or twice a week the 2-4th week. Weeks 2-4 hit the high pressure once a week.

Other salon owners may have different ideas, but this is what I'd suggest without being able to see you. I'm usually more conservative (this is why I'm only suggesting a couple times a week, since you mention being almost pasty white ).

Definately invest in a good lotion, and you'll want a bronzer since you want to be tan fast. Aftercare moisturizers too, to keep your newly tan skin moist. And then, like Jim said, pack good sunscreen for the trip. Look for some that have a bronzer since you being Casper White is a concern of yours .

rkellyh

Thanks...

One last question... would you recommend the "tingle" type tanning lotion for someone with my type skin, or some other type of product?

Thanks again.

JohnnyComeLately

Nope. Stay away from the tingles for now. Tingles are really for experienced tanners. If you think, "Ahhhhh....I'm ok, I can do it anyway," be VERY VERY conservative and put it on a part of you that you can stand to be VERY uncomfortable for the remainder of the evening.

rkellyh

Thanks! You've been a lot of help.

gottaknow

check with your local government agency they have just put out an alert for foreign especially US tourists visiting Cancun. The local police detain you and hold you up for unjust tickets and basically detain you for money. Be careful. I saw this on the news last week.
PS I love Cancun.