Komeira

Hi guys! First a little about me:

Age: 22
Sex: Female
State: Texas
Skin type: Fair but after I burn it sometimes turns to color

Okay, here is my question...

My college graduation and best friends wedding are coming up. The bride and I have started going to a tanning salon in our college town.

Night 1: We went in their lower level bed for 10 minutes and didn't feel hot or get any color. Not even pink.

The next night we returned and went into the same bed. This time the girl said we should try 15 minutes. We did and came out feeling great. About 2 hours later, my back was a pinkish-red and felt like it was on fire. The girl said the beds had brand new bulbs that probably caused the "burn".

It is still a little uncomfortable today but not as bad as a full out burn.

What I want to know is how a fair skinned girl (chocolate brown hair and hazel eyes; very few freckles) can do to get just a bronzed look. I have a strapless dress for each occasion and I don't want to look like casper walking across the stage or at the Alter. Should I just keep going and wait to see if I get results or should I just settle for a mystic tan?
Thanks!

(FYI: Graduation is May 14 and wedding is June 6)

caribbeansun01

Didn't the salon do a skin type analysis on you? And if they were brand new bulbs, she should have informed you instead of making you go longer! A burn is a burn no matter what it looks or feels like. Definetly use a lotion when you tan. Start off with an accelerator (DS Drama Queen maybe) and work your way to a maximizer.

Komeira

She told us it wouldn't burn us and they only skin analysis they did was a questoin about how our skin handled the sun. I answered "Burns often but eventually tans".

I am on a starving student budget so $50 for 1 month hurt my bank so the lotion I got was only the Hawaiian Tropic Indoor tanning lotion that she pitched to me. Was this a bad idea?

Edit: This is where we go: Http://www.tanbluelagoon.com

[ This Message was edited by: Komeira on 2005-04-29 12:50 ][ This Message was edited by: Komeira on 2005-04-29 12:51 ]

caribbeansun01

Find another salon is my advice! Look for a salon that is Smart Tan certified. First of all, there is more than one question to ask to find out what your skin type is. We ask 10 total questions, 7 of which help determine your skin type. And they are selling HAWAIIAN TROPIC INDOOR TANNING LOTION??????????????? What kind of salon is this? That's the stuff you can get at Wal-MArt. No, no, no. Move your salon!! GO back and ask to speak with the manager or owner.

Komeira

It is the only salon in our little college town so we don't have many options. I called them yesterday and asked if I could get a refund so I could go elsewhere but she basically laughed at me. I pretty much HAVE to go here as I cannot afford anything else now.

Any tips on how to just deal with the salon and make the best of it?

Komeira

I just took a skin test and I am a 2C-3A. Does that help any?

John S. Soet

Well, it's like lifting weights. You started with too little so you didn't get any stronger, then you got jumped to a 200-pound bench press and threw your shoulder out. Okay, enough analogy. Talk to somebody else in the salon and then work up. Your choice of lotion is very important -- if you state your case to the owner maybe they'll spot you some sample packettes. But you're not going to walk in looking like Madonna and pop out looking like Beyonce your first day. You have to slowly progress, minutes depending on the strength of the bed.

caribbeansun01

I agree with John, go to the head of the business and tell them how you were treated. No skin analysis, poor customer service, not enough knowledge of the beds, etc. Hopefully the owner cares about the business and will do the right thing.