Anyone embracing pale skin for the summer?

Go_Dawgs · May 2012

I was really bad about my skin as a teen and did the tanning bed thing into my early 20's (a HUGE regret). From about 23 to 32 I didn't make an effort to get tan, but I also would wear the lowest spf possible on vacation in the hope of getting some color and I certainly didn't wear spf daily and worry about protecting my skin from the sun.

About six months ago when I started reading about anti-aging, I realized that sun is the devil I now wear spf every day, plan to use a high spf and reapply often when I'm at the lake this summer, and will also wear a floppy hat. I'm trying to embrace that it's healthier to be pale.

I have thought about doing the Jergens Natural Glow stuff, but having to apply all the time just seems like a pain. Plus, I hate the smell. I also would want to use the stuff for my face if I did the rest of my body, and I don't like the idea of having to buy a different shade of BB cream, powder, etc. So I think I'm going to try to embrace being pale (although I do wear leg makeup with skirts so I don't look terribly pasty).

pixy_stix · May 2012

Natural redhead checking in. :oD I'm always ghostly pale. I don't tan. I turn red, then peel, then I'm white again. I always always always wear sunscreen outside.

ablou · May 2012

I usually embrace the pale for the summer, but a sunscreen mishap at Jazz Fest last weekend has left me with an, um, *interesting* situation on my back... But I'm just going to let it be and continue on with my SPF 50 when we're outside.

natablue · May 2012

pixy_stix:
Natural redhead checking in. :oD I'm always ghostly pale. I don't tan. I turn red, then peel, then I'm white again. I always always always wear sunscreen outside.

Same here. Natural redhead, I only burn so I am religious about sunscreen and staying out or the sun. I've never been in a tanning bed, and I never plan to. I don't spray tan, or use sunless tanner - I embrace my paleness! I hope someday the natural look comes back in style, and more women take steps to stay out of the sun.

pixy_stix · May 2012

Out of curiosity, what is leg makeup?

mavjen · May 2012

I tan very easily and rarely burn but I've noticed last summer that I got a lot if sun or age spots on my face and the backs of my hands. I used sunscreen but nothing was different in my routine from all the years past, I guess I hit an age where hyper pigmentation results. It freaks me the fukc out and it took a long time for those spots to fade away,I may stay out of the sun this summer but it's so hard since I spend a lot of time outdoors when it's warm out.

MaddysMum · May 2012

I lost some one I knew to skin cancer.

So "healthy" tanned skin just looks like a giant cancer billboard to me, and you couldn't pay me to actively sit and bake in the sun or a tanning bed. Which means embracing the pale!

On the vain side, wearing sunscreen everyday of my life on my face has meant I don't have a wrinkle or any sort of sun-damaged aging. So, if vanity makes a person tan...well, it makes a whole pile more sense to be smart and vain and protect your skin!

Kim&Dan · May 2012

I'm super pale too, I can tan a little but for the most part I burn. When outside I have to wear sunscreen, a hat, sun glasses and then I try to stay in the shade whenever possible.

Go_Dawgs · May 2012

pixy_stix:
Out of curiosity, what is leg makeup?

It is AWESOME. I learned about it on here. Sally's makes one, but this is the one I found by the pantyhose at Walgreens.

http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/studio-35-beauty-bare-legs-only-better/ID=prod4176878-product

It's amazing. You spray it into your hand and then rub it into your legs. I'm a lawyer and really should be wearing pantyhose with my suits, but it's so damn hot in Atl in the spring and summer, so I've been using this instead. It gives a nice, natural glow to your legs and makes any little scars or scratches less noticeable. Surprisingly, it really doesn't rub off on anything, and only comes off when you shower.

Go_Dawgs · May 2012

MaddysMum:
I lost some one I knew to skin cancer.
So "healthy" tanned skin just looks like a giant cancer billboard to me, and you couldn't pay me to actively sit and bake in the sun or a tanning bed. Which means embracing the pale!

This is why I really regret the tanning bed. I have a feeling that I will end up with skin cancer one day. It raises your chances of skin cancer something crazy like 75%. Plus, being fair skinned with freckles and moles (calling them beauty marks sounds so much nicer) makes me especially high risk. So, so dumb.

StatlerWaldorf · May 2012

I have been being very careful. I have a cast on my leg and I would rather be pale than have two different colored legs when this cast comes off.

Go_Dawgs · May 2012

StatlerWaldorf:
I have been being very careful. I have a cast on my leg and I would rather be pale than have two different colored legs when this cast comes off.

LOL!

The_Jen626 · May 2012

I am only pale in the winter, my skin tans when the sun even thinks about coming out. I use SPF when in the sun, and am dilligent with it on my daughter, but we both are dark brown by the end of the summer. We play outside a lot, wear hats, etc. I'm 30 and I don't have any age spots or wrinkles, and I often get compliments about how good my skin looks. My Mom's skin is the same way, and she looks great still at 55. I'm sure it's the Native American in our blood, my Mom is 1/4, I'm 1/8, and my daughter is 1/16. DH on the other hand, embraces the pale. He's Irish and German and he burns, peels, and is back to white the next day,

Go_Dawgs · May 2012

The_Jen626:
I am only pale in the winter, my skin tans when the sun even thinks about coming out. I use SPF when in the sun, and am dilligent with it on my daughter, but we both are dark brown by the end of the summer. We play outside a lot, wear hats, etc. I'm 30 and I don't have any age spots or wrinkles, and I often get compliments about how good my skin looks. My Mom's skin is the same way, and she looks great still at 55. I'm sure it's the Native American in our blood, my Mom is 1/4, I'm 1/8, and my daughter is 1/16. DH on the other hand, embraces the pale. He's Irish and German and he burns, peels, and is back to white the next day,

My son is 1/2 African American, and it's crazy how he still gets a tan line even after slathering spf 50 on him often, sitting under an umbrella, and limiting our time in the sun. I won't even have an extra freckle, but he gets tan. I am definitely envious of people who can slather on the sunscreen and still get some nice color.

billysgirl07 · May 2012

Absolutely!!

askmetostay · May 2012

i'm super fair, and freckle like a mofo. so i'm ALL about the sunscreen in the summer. i usually use 30 or more on my upper body and arms, and 15 on my legs in the pool so they get a smidge of color. but i might stop that too, because i've noticed a few leg freckles and they're my only part i LOVE.

wallahallalalla · May 2012

I embrace my pale skin, as well. I have dark brown hair and very pale skin. It is possible for me to tan, but only if I make a lot of effort at it. I also don't really like the way tan skin looks. My mom is a sun worshipper and her skin resembles leather in some areas...I don't want that to happen to me. I wear sunscreen all the time and I hate the way self tanner makes me look orange.

iLikeSloths · May 2012

Go_Dawgs:

I was really bad about my skin as a teen and did the tanning bed thing into my early 20's (a HUGE regret).

You just described me also. I always say it's my one and only regret. Luckily I havent seen any issues from tanning in my teens yet, but I worry about it often. I'm terrified of skin cancer and wish I could take all the tanning back.

Now I'm 26, slather on the sunblock, and embrace the pale.

~NB~ · May 2012

I'm not embracing anything. I work outside. I tan very easily and haven't burned in decades.

I turn color every summer as a result of my work. The only thing I am diligent about is looking for signs of melanoma.

adlove · May 2012

I have olive skin that tans at the slightest bit of sunlight so I can't say I'm embracing pale skin but I am definitely embracing serious SPF. I won't go out without 50-70spf on and I spend nearly every weekend outdoors. I can't avoid it unfortunately.

My SIL passed away this past January after a 2 year battle with melanoma. She was very fair and her melanoma originated on her scalp. If you are prone to burns, try to stay out of the sun! She was never big on tanning either, but seriously just a few severe burns will greatly increase your chances. I take advantage of all the shade I can, and I'm not fair skinned and don't burn easily.

I'll never go without a hat, and routine skin checks are a new part of my life. Be safe guys! Get checked regularly. You can do these checks at home as well, if a mole starts to change or look different, get it looked at! So many things I wish we had known so her life would be spared. The prevention is so simple. I miss her every day.

Eta: I don't mean to preach or anything and this isn't directed at anyone, just wanted to put it out there if there's anyone reading who visits tanning beds or is putting themselves in danger in that way.

ChangeOfPace · May 2012

I was probably the only weird kid worried about making sure I had enough sunscreen to get through the day growing up in Florida. I wear SPF every single day on my face and all over whenever I'm going to be outside for more than 5 minutes. I have always embraced my paleness. Tanning doesn't do nice things to my skin, I prefer my pale look.

KlassyWithaK · May 2012

I'm always pale. I use sunscreen on my face daily and everywhere during the summer. Like other girls, I don't tan, I freckle. And I don't actually like lying outside by the pool.

karebear304 · May 2012

I'm another that's kind of forced to embrace it. I never tan - I'll just burn and peel so pale it is for me. I just got back from Key West and was really diligent about the sunscreen.

LilMissLadybug · May 2012

I'm a red head and burn even after five minutes in the sun. I'm not as religious about sunscreen for myself as I am with my kids.

Also for the self tanner Jergens makes a face one that I used last summer for a glow and to cut down on my face makeup. I sweat bad in the summer so the less makeup the better.

LilMissLadybug · May 2012

adlove:
My SIL passed away this past January after a 2 year battle with melanoma. She was very fair and her melanoma originated on her scalp. If you are prone to burns, try to stay out of the sun! She was never big on tanning either, but seriously just a few severe burns will greatly increase your chances. I take advantage of all the shade I can, and I'm not fair skinned and don't burn easily.
I'll never go without a hat, and routine skin checks are a new part of my life. Be safe guys! Get checked regularly. You can do these checks at home as well, if a mole starts to change or look different, get it looked at! So many things I wish we had known so her life would be spared. The prevention is so simple. I miss her every day.
Eta: I don't mean to preach or anything and this isn't directed at anyone, just wanted to put it out there if there's anyone reading who visits tanning beds or is putting themselves in danger in that way.

Sorry about your SIL. My brother has melanoma. As far as I know right now he's doing okay but he hasn't gone in for his check ups in awhile because of not having insurance.

I regret how much I tanned as a teen and into my early 20s. I always thought I needed color because people would tell me I was so white I was blinding them. Now I just cover up as much as I can in the summer.

AGsWife · May 2012

Although I'm Italian (50% Sicilian, even!) I can not tan. I am ghostly, blindingly pale. If I sit out in the sun, I burn, turn red, then go back to being ghostly white.Most summers I indulge in a good, professional spray tan or use tanning lotions (I really like the Loreal brand.) However, since I am currently pregnant and research is not clear about the use of tanning lotions on fetuses, I will be embracing my pale skin this summer.

Mrs Acorn Blue · May 2012

I am super pale and I just burn so I've never really been a sun worshiper. I always wear sunscreen and I usually wear a hat. My DH has vitiligo so he's super prone to getting skin cancer so he also avoids the sun.

bim38106 · May 2012

I've been embracing my paleness since my mid-20s

I'm also pretty pale, don't tan at all. My skin burns so easily and quickly, even w/ SPF sometimes. I grew up in AZ and got so many bad (skin blistering) sunburns. I feel like it's not "if" I'll get skin cancer, but rather "when". So now I do my best to stay out of the sun. I really need to stay on top of derm. check-ups! I had a derm in AZ tell me I had 2 moles on my head that were very suspicious and I should keep an eye on them, but the 3 derms I've been to here couldn't find them. That worries me a bit...

I actually got a spray tan the other day for an event. To be completely honest, I prefer the way I look pale. I felt like I looked older tanned, and it made my stretch marks way more obvious. I'll stick w/ porcelain skin TYVM

Kimee13 · May 2012

I believe in everything in moderation, and I do think I look better with a bit of color(I'm olive-skinned). The sun is not the devil, you can enjoy it responsibly. Vitamin D is actually good for you and our pediatrician was just saying how a lot of kids need supplements because they don't go outside or are so shaded when they do. While I don't intend on slathering baby oil on DS, I do intent to let him get a little sun this summer while protected with the appropriate SPF.