Please help!

[mrolson]

Hi!

I am a "tanning newbie", and I really need some help. I am naturally very pale, and also have kind of sensitive skin. I am from northern Europe but I live in China and being pale as a ghost really makes you stand out (even more than you would otherwise), and since it's like impossible to get a tan naturally here (the pollution probably prevents any sun to get through) I have decided to start going to a tanning saloon.

Now, I have always been very skeptical to tanning beds because of all the talk of skin cancer, therefore I have previously tried tan-less lotions, with ok results. The thing is that it's just too much trouble applying it, waiting for it to dry, the smell, the hands, yellow nails etc. so now I think I will just try a tanning bed instead. But being a complete newbie ( and scared of cancer) I want to check some things with you guys that are a bit experienced first.

1. I don't want to get really dark or anything, just a little tanned (not pale), will 20 minutes a week be enough?

2. Tanning 20 min a week and minimum sun exposure should not put me in the high risk zone for cancer, right?

3. How important is eye protection, and won't you get like white circles around your eyes if you wear it?

4. Now, this is the most important and longest question. For best tanning results, is this what I should do? (I plan to tan in the mornings if that matters)

(1), Shower and use that sponge thing to remove dead skin
(2), Apply some kind of pre tan oil (the only one I could find here in China was "Banana Boat Protective Dark Tanning Oil Spray SPF4"
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Banana-Boat-.../dp/B001EJOF8O Is this any good btw?
(3), Go to the saloon and do the tanning.
(4), Apply some kind of body-lotion to keep the skin from becoming too dry.
(5), All done

Please help me by answering all the questions....I would be really grateful...thanks a million!!!!!

[DB Hottie]

Why would you be so scared of the tanning bed and not fear the sun? The truth is that a tanning bed is controlled and the sun is not.

Smart tanning is not burning.

Slathering your largest organ (your skin) down with sunscreen is not smart tanning. Do a little research on those ingredients and you will think twice about using them. Banana Boat is not what you want. Go to a professional salon and get professional products to help you achieve your desired tan.

Using a bed is by far the smartest and most controlled way to obtain a tan. You describe yourself as being very pale- 20 minutes is not smart. Go slow, maybe 5 minutes. Increase your tanning time in 2 minute increments as your tolerance builds. If at any time you burn (see reddening of the skin) you have been exposed for too long.

Vitamin D is a great benefit of sunlight exposure. For more information take a look at this website http://sunlighttruth.com/

[MicroSpa]

Originally Posted by mrolson

Hi!

I am a "tanning newbie", and I really need some help. I am naturally very pale, and also have kind of sensitive skin. I am from northern Europe but I live in China and being pale as a ghost really makes you stand out (even more than you would otherwise), and since it's like impossible to get a tan naturally here (the pollution probably prevents any sun to get through) I have decided to start going to a tanning saloon.

We don't have enough information to help you completely but hopefully this gives you a head start . Do you know your skin type? If you are what is called skin type 1, you are genetically incapable of producing melanin which means that exposure would most likely burn you.

Indoor tanning does provide you with the only option for a controlled environment however if you are skin type 1, you should avoid using a tanning bed and limit your exposure to the sun. Burning is what increases your chances of cancer and you should avoid any prolonged exposure that may cause you to burn.

I would be suspect that any indoor tanning device in China is a safe device and the lamps are producing a natural spread of UVA/UVB that we know to be the case in the US.

If in fact you are not skin type 1, and you know you are using a quality piece of indoor tanning equipment with quality lamps, then follow DB Hotties advice. Moderation. Don't Burn.

Now, I have always been very skeptical to tanning beds because of all the talk of skin cancer, therefore I have previously tried tan-less lotions, with ok results. The thing is that it's just too much trouble applying it, waiting for it to dry, the smell, the hands, yellow nails etc. so now I think I will just try a tanning bed instead. But being a complete newbie ( and scared of cancer) I want to check some things with you guys that are a bit experienced first.

First, there are no studies showing that indoor tanning causes cancer. Not one. Burning, whether indoors or outdoors does increase your risk. Very simply, don't put yourself in a situation that you will burn.

Be careful of sunscreens. I would only use when you are going to be outdoors and possibly have prolonged exposure to the sun. There are new studies out now showing that nano particles within sunscreens could lead to Alzheimer's and other diseases. No one has definitive proof so again, moderation when using them. Meaning I wouldn't put it on 24/7, only when I am going to have prolonged exposure to the sun.

1. I don't want to get really dark or anything, just a little tanned (not pale), will 20 minutes a week be enough?

Know your skin type first. Can you even produce melanin?

2. Tanning 20 min a week and minimum sun exposure should not put me in the high risk zone for cancer, right?

Light & sensitive skin. Again, we don't know if you can even tan. If you are skin type 1 then don't tan.

3. How important is eye protection, and won't you get like white circles around your eyes if you wear it?

This is a must, 100% of the time. You will permanently damage your eyes without them. There are small one's that will limit the circles should you be able to tan.

4. Now, this is the most important and longest question. For best tanning results, is this what I should do? (I plan to tan in the mornings if that matters)

(1), Shower and use that sponge thing to remove dead skin
(2), Apply some kind of pre tan oil (the only one I could find here in China was "Banana Boat Protective Dark Tanning Oil Spray SPF4"
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Banana-Boat-.../dp/B001EJOF8O Is this any good btw?
(3), Go to the saloon and do the tanning.
(4), Apply some kind of body-lotion to keep the skin from becoming too dry.
(5), All done

Please help me by answering all the questions....I would be really grateful...thanks a million!!!!!

One last note, because you may be genetically predisposed to a skin type 1 and you are in an environment that would not allow you to be exposed to UVB, you may be vitamin d deficient. There is major research showing that many women in your situation and in your location are Vitamin D deficient. It is shown that increased levels of Vitamin D give you the best chance to fight cancer. Have yourself tested and do your best to increase your intake of foods that are high in this vitamin(it's actually a hormone within us). Your Dr may be able to help with supplements in addition to, especially if you cannot tan.

Good luck

[mrolson]

Originally Posted by MicroSpa

One last note, because you may be genetically predisposed to a skin type 1 and you are in an environment that would not allow you to be exposed to UVB, you may be vitamin d deficient. There is major research showing that many women in your situation and in your location are Vitamin D deficient. It is shown that increased levels of Vitamin D give you the best chance to fight cancer. Have yourself tested and do your best to increase your intake of foods that are high in this vitamin(it's actually a hormone within us). Your Dr may be able to help with supplements in addition to, especially if you cannot tan.

Good luck

Hi!
I completely forgot about this forum, so sorry for the VERY LATE reply.
1st of all, I'm a guy, not a girl (doesn't know why or if that matters though). I am naturally very pale, but I don't burn that easy and I am capable of becoming tanned when exposed to the sun, it just takes a little bit longer time for me. I would say I'm a little below average in sun exposure->getting tanned, but I do get tanned though.

I still haven't tried the Chinese standing tanning bed, but I'm about to. I think that I will be able to handle 15 minutes without getting burned, but I won't know for sure until I've tried. The thing is that they charge you per time here (about 15$) and you can tan as long as you want, and not like we do in Sweden, where they charge like 2$/10 minutes.

I will just try 15-20 minutes/week and see where that gets me.
Am I right about the pre tanning procedure? I will skip that tanning lotion, and just take a shower and remove dead skin before tanning. And then apply some body lotion when I finished tanning.