would you tan?

smilelari · January 2012

I wasn't terribly concerned about being pasty pale for the beach wedding, but my mom keeps hinting that I need some color. I will be in quite a few pictures. blah. just not sure I care.

Mrs.Greeko · January 2012

No, but I also get suspicious moles cut off my body every time I go to the dermatologist for a mole check so I'm pretty anti-tanning as it is. Don't want to increase my chances of skin cancer any more than it already is. Maybe the Jergens lotion that Ives you a little color? I used that before my wedding and was happy with it.

WineCat · January 2012

I've gotten an airbrush tan and it worked well. I wouldn't tan; melanoma scares the crap out of me.

smylei9 · January 2012

I wouldn't tan but I probably would use the lotion. I didn't do either before my sister's June wedding (just like you, I wasn't sure I cared about being pasty) but after seeing me compared to the rest of the tanned bridesmaids, I really wish I would have used the lotion so I would have had a little bit of color.

BSweet823 · January 2012

Absolutely not, no way! Every summer I tell my staff (lifeguards) that I am proudly the whitest woman in the pool business. Please wear sunscreen and stay safe, you can still have lots of fun in the sun while being safe.

Tanning isn't healthy, please don't go.

***stepping off my soap box***

Shanbrite - where are you girlfriend?!?

stella_blu · January 2012

I used a Nutrogena Sun Kissed Radiant Skin for a wedding this summer and really loved it. You apply it every day for a few days and it builds up gradually. You do have to be careful of knees and elbows and backs of knees because it will deposit itself more there. I also made sure to exfoliate well before each application. Best tan I every had and it sure made me look thinner

shanbrite2 · January 2012

Here!

HEEEEELLLLLLZZZZZ NO!!!! I can tell you 1,000% that it is NOT worth it. I've never tanned in my life, but still got melanoma. Melanoma is SCARY shiit. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I wear sunblock every time I step outside now, even if I'm just walking to my car and back. Even before my diagnosis, I decided I would embrace my white skin, since it's what I've got. And yes, I've gotten comments from people (mostly when I belly dance), and no, I don't give a crap what they think. It's not worth risking my life (literally) for someone else's opinion.

That said, if you feel compelled, those lotions that the others are suggesting are a decent alternative. And frankly, bridesmaids that have bra strap tan lines are WAY more tacky than being pale!

(And if you want me to talk to your mom about how much more hideous skin grafts and 9 inch long scars are than being pale, I'm happy to oblige :-) )

schoolsoutbride · January 2012

Mrs.Greeko:
No, but I also get suspicious moles cut off my body every time I go to the dermatologist for a mole check so I'm pretty anti-tanning as it is. Don't want to increase my chances of skin cancer any more than it already is.

Ditto.

d&jb52407 · January 2012

No way no how. I used to and dh did too, we agreed when we got together we would not anymore. I'd do a spray tan if necessary. I glow in the dark and sometimes I miss a healthy glow but I hope I never get melanoma.

XMrsV2005 · January 2012

I have another vote for the spray tan or at-home tanning products. Neutrogena has a spray one that works really well.i was able to spray my back with it and it turned out great.

If you decide to get it professionally done, I would suggest going somewhere that does south seas tans sprayed by a person vs. an automated machine. More control. Plus south seas won't leave you orange. Its one of the products we use at my work, and besides, they have the contract for dancing with the stars!

howleyshell · January 2012

Different perspective here from a fellow albino.

I haven't done this in the past few years because frankly I just haven't had the time but in the past I would do a couple of 5 minute visits to tanning beds prior to a beach vacation.

It had nothing to do with wanting to look tan and everything to do with the fact that if I'm going to spend a full day in the sun and repeat that for several days I WILL get a burn regardless of how careful I am with sunscreen.

I do it for a bit of a base so I don't go lobster on my first day and spend the rest of a very expensive vacation having to sit inside a hotel as I itch and peel.

But... no way in hell I'd do it because someone was concerned about my pigmentation for photos.

Nor would I do any kind of tan in a can. I've tried it in the past and without fail end up with freaky looking knees and ankles.

I am what I am and I gave up thinking I could ever look like anything other than the token albino a loooong time ago.

If your mom is making these suggestions I'd laugh in her face and say "sure... I'll tan when you come watch the kids for me to go have some alone time. In fact I'll get a massage while I'm out too, K?"

Tanning was the LAST thing on my mind when my kids were your age. They should be damned glad you're coming at all.

goldenjes · January 2012

I burn pretty quickly, and I've gone for very short tanning sessions to get some kind of base before vacation. Granted, I've only done those vacations twice, but I would have fried (yes, even with SPF 50) on my normally pale self, and this helped a little. I used the newer beds is I go that option, with a better UVA/UVB ratio. Still, I wouldn't recommend tanning often.

For normal stuff, I am fine with the spray tan or lotion. I've gotten a pretty decent one using At Th Beach's Vers-Spa. It has 3 levels of tan, and I've done the light, and medium - which was really noticeable on me. (The light looked like a slight natural glow on me but I didn't look "tan".) I mention them because they've started popping up everywhere (often near KS, it seems) so maybe you could try them before grocery shopping if you ever get a chance to go solo.

ruby soho · January 2012

goldenjes:
I burn pretty quickly, and I've gone for very short tanning sessions to get some kind of base before vacation. Granted, I've only done those vacations twice, but I would have fried (yes, even with SPF 50) on my normally pale self, and this helped a little. I used the newer beds is I go that option, with a better UVA/UVB ratio. Still, I wouldn't recommend tanning often.
For normal stuff, I am fine with the spray tan or lotion. I've gotten a pretty decent one using At Th Beach's Vers-Spa. It has 3 levels of tan, and I've done the light, and medium - which was really noticeable on me. (The light looked like a slight natural glow on me but I didn't look "tan".) I mention them because they've started popping up everywhere (often near KS, it seems) so maybe you could try them before grocery shopping if you ever get a chance to go solo.

I wouldn't tan in a bed (not that I haven't before) but I would spray tan for sure

AugustBrideCO · January 2012

I wouldn't, but I would get an airbrush tan.

smilelari · January 2012

I'm actually probably at increased risk for melanoma. My dad had part of his ear removed about a year ago - carcinoma - and has already had some other spots taken care of since. Not sure how much of that is genetics and how much is lifestyle. Not sure I'd go the bed route anyways (not that I've never done it). I have done mystic before and it was ok. Not sure I can afford air brush and the at home jobs always look funky.

I'm not sure that I actually care that I'm pale. Is that wrong?

smilelari · January 2012

howleyshell:
Different perspective here from a fellow albino.
I haven't done this in the past few years because frankly I just haven't had the time but in the past I would do a couple of 5 minute visits to tanning beds prior to a beach vacation.
It had nothing to do with wanting to look tan and everything to do with the fact that if I'm going to spend a full day in the sun and repeat that for several days I WILL get a burn regardless of how careful I am with sunscreen.
I do it for a bit of a base so I don't go lobster on my first day and spend the rest of a very expensive vacation having to sit inside a hotel as I itch and peel.

But... no way in hell I'd do it because someone was concerned about my pigmentation for photos.
Nor would I do any kind of tan in a can. I've tried it in the past and without fail end up with freaky looking knees and ankles.
I am what I am and I gave up thinking I could ever look like anything other than the token albino a loooong time ago.
If your mom is making these suggestions I'd laugh in her face and say "sure... I'll tan when you come watch the kids for me to go have some alone time. In fact I'll get a massage while I'm out too, K?"
Tanning was the LAST thing on my mind when my kids were your age. They should be damned glad you're coming at all.

Ha! Exactly.

WonderRed · January 2012

It's dumbfounding to me that people still use tanning beds and lay out to tan, knowing what we know in this day and age. No way would I go tanning. Of course, it wouldn't do me any good anyway. I would consider a light spray tan if I was worried about being to pale, but I frankly make no apologies for my natural skin tone anymore so it wouldn't be very high up on my list of priorities.

swinsto3 · January 2012

Ha, this is how indoctrinated "no tanning beds" is into my head. I read your subject line and my first thought was "of course, why wouldn't I get a Mystic?" Actual tanning in a tanning bed never even entered my mind.

So there's my answer - I'd get a spray tan or airbrush tan, but not a tanning bed tan. Although I don't think you need to at all - and I totally agree with Howley, they should be happy you're going to another country with 2 littles!

jason&robin · January 2012

My aunt got melanoma before 50 and was told it was hereditary. I have moles out the ying yang so I have always felt like cancer waiting to happen. I also tried a spray tan once and it didn't go well. That much color just looks weird on me so if you are going to do it. I'd do a test run first to make sure it looks good. I'd rather look pale in pictures than have a ridiculous fake tan.

howleyshell · January 2012

smilelari:
I'm not sure that I actually care that I'm pale. Is that wrong?

Not at ALL.

I am who I am - and I'm "fish belly pale" as one of my girlfriends describes it.

Frankly I'm thrilled that society has moved away from the worship of the tan because I think it's much easier now to be my pale self than it was when I was younger.

DruidPrincess · January 2012

If you DO elect to spray tan, I'd definitely do a trial run and do NOT do it the same day as the ceremony. One of my BMs was orange. (We still laugh about it, and she has huge bright blue eyes - the effect was rather Bronco-ish.)

And I'll echo everyone else - a tanning bed is not worth it. Do spray or do lotion, or just go comfy in your own skin. I always laugh at how people care what the bridal party skin tone will look like anyway, when all focus will be on the chic in the white dress.

spongejen · January 2012

WonderRed:
It's dumbfounding to me that people still use tanning beds and lay out to tan, knowing what we know in this day and age. No way would I go tanning. Of course, it wouldn't do me any good anyway. I would consider a light spray tan if I was worried about being to pale, but I frankly make no apologies for my natural skin tone anymore so it wouldn't be very high up on my list of priorities.

this. to me, it's like smoking even though you know all the facts.

I got an airbrush tan before the wedding/honeymoon because I am super pale, and I was really worried about it, but actually loved it. I got it probably 3 days ahead of time and it was evened out well by the day of.

velocitygrl · January 2012

Ditto PP- go get an airbrush tan as a trial, and if you like it get it re-done right before you go down.

I've done the spray-tan where you go in the machine. It worked pretty well and didn't turn me orange. But I think I'd prefer the airbrush done by a human because I think I looked too different from normal. I was way too dark compared to my normal skin tone, glow-in-the-dark white. I have a picture of myself from a Christmas party right before we went to Mexico, and I look like a different super-tan person.

Pesky · January 2012

No, but I also burn and don't tan. Plus with my family history, no way would I even attempt it.

Psalm_23 · January 2012

shanbrite2:

And frankly, bridesmaids that have bra strap tan lines are WAY more tacky than being pale!

I was a BM in my brother's wedding when I was 19 and stupid. I knew nothing about weddings, and made no attempt to cover my horrible tan-line from lifeguarding (wedding was end of July). I look at the pictures now and cringe. Oopsies!

So, no, I would not go tanning now to look "better" for a wedding photo.

Carol*Brady2 · January 2012

I do on occasion...it's therapy/Dr. Recommended treatment for my psoriasis & have since I was 9yrs old. I also get the lovely experience of using steroid & tar products. I don't get tan...but if I wanted to have actual color, I'd do the spray tan.

would you tan?

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