Preparing to go on trip to sun

[eaadams]

My girlfriend has insisted we go to the Carribian for end of term fun. However, I tend to stay away from beaches and sun because I burn.

It has not allways burned. I can tan. I did some recearch and with my backround (white skin, northern european, dirty blond hair, hazel eyes) I come in at I think a type 2B.

However, I have been in my first year of law school and have been stuck inside all year. Therefore I'm looking pretty pinkish white.

I think I know the basics: let skin rest 24-48hrs each time, dont burn it will only hurt the tan, use a proper after tanning moistureizer.

1st question: Will having a tan b4 I go down to the sun allow me to spend more time in the sun as long as I still load up on sun block?

2nd question: What do I need to start out at at a salon? Minute wise? I am looking for a schedule to be ready on May 12th.

3rd question: How do I know when I've had enough? How do you know when to get out?

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[ This Message was edited by: eaadams on 2005-04-14 18:14 ]

[eaadams]

4th question: are there any foods that are beneficial or detrimental to melatonin production?

[Sherin]

Your Professional Tanning Consultant will be able to assist you with the best tanning advice for exposure for your skin type and lotion choices.

[navigatin1]

Oh Sherin.... your so professional!

[sunsally]

On the off chance that poor eaadams gets the ONE salon out there that is not so good and doesn't know their stuff as well as they should.....

Plan on approx 10 visits to see a "base" tan - maybe more given your skin type and how fair you say you are. Therefore, don't expect "instant" results. And yes - since your trip is 4 weeks away, starting TODAY will give you JUST enough time to build it up slowly and safely!

If they have a high pressure tanning bed, that can help to "quick start" you a bit. They are generally more expensive ($30-50/visit) but offer more of the "tanning ray" (UVA) and less of the "burning ray" (UVB) and so you can get a little more "bang" for your buck in terms of tanning base. Something to consider.

Yes - having a base is going to "help" because you are also going to be adding additional melanin through the exposure to the UVB in the beds. But the Carribean sun this time of year is still going to be WICKEDLY strong for you, so high sunscreen, reapplied often, staying out of the sun during "peak hours" etc will all be smart as well!

As far as how much time to start (minutes-wise), THAT will depend on the specific salon's equip. In general, I would suspect you should start in their "entry level" bed (if no high pressure) and probably no more than 1/3 the total minutes allowed (e.g. 6 or 7 of 20 minutes or 5 of 15 minutes). They will know their equip best. From there, if NO pink, generally not adding more than 2 minutes at a time, and taking that day or two off between sessions as you already know.

Finally - you will not "know" when you've "had enough". In tanning beds, like tanning outdoors, you don't "feel" too much until it is already too late!! It is not instaneous like touching a hot stove. Listen to the tanning consultant and don't try to "talk them into more minutes" suggesting "I'll just get out if I feel hot". You don't feel "hot" in tanning beds (or if so, from lack of fans and circulation, not indication of overexposure) and you can't "tell" when you are getting too much unless it is REALLY too much.

Find a nice salon, plan on investing in 10 or more sessions, start today, build slowly and safely, and have a great vacation!

[Tan Talker]

Hey, on your trip to Sun make a right at Venus and take Intergalactic 435 all the way in.

[navigatin1]

Quote:
On 2005-04-15 07:46:00, Tan Talker wrote:
Hey, on your trip to Sun make a right at Venus and take Intergalactic 435 all the way in.


Yeah I was gonna say bring LOTS of sunscreen!!!!

[eaadams]

Ok so I went to my first one and was preasently supprised. They had a student deal for a month unlimited for only $30 so that was great and it is right around the corner from my house. She sold me some Pre-Tan lotion so I used that. The bed has a maximum of 28min and she had me start out at 10min. I am not deffinetly not burned but am pink. That is good!

However a few statements for your comments:
1) she told me I didn't need to use after tan moisturiser, just a pre tan accelerant.
2) she told me to gym then tan if I go to gym as that helps.
3) she told me not to shower two hours after tan.
4) the 'peepers' she sold me seem to fit ok but I can see through them just dark. Are you supposed to see through them? Are you supposed to keep eyes closed while in bed? I dont see peripial lighet seeping in around edges.
5) she told me to come every day and no need to wait more than that.

[Ezliving_Jim]

Quote:If they have a high pressure tanning bed, that can help to "quick start" you a bit. They are generally more expensive ($30-50/visit) but offer more of the "tanning ray" (UVA) and less of the "burning ray" (UVB) and so you can get a little more "bang" for your buck in terms of tanning base. Something to consider.

An HP bed with minimal UVB is not going to give you as much of a protective base tan as a bed with more UVB.

Better to find a good 12-15 minute VHR bed to build a fast base. And then slather on the SPF in the islands. Buy a straw hat as soon as you get there.