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Tanning Salon Help?
KyleWPeterson
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
My family is going to vacation in Mexico for a week or so over the winter holidays and since my skin usually burns easily I've thought of trying to at least get a little color before going so I can enjoy myself more on the beach. I've never been to a tanning salon before so I don't really know what I need to bring/wear and how long I should be under the lamp for. Help?
KyleWPeterson on
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You may want to put a bit sunscreen on your face or other areas that you are prone to burning. You can tan in shorts or whatever you want really. I just used 1 sock to keep the johnson from burning.
Edit: You'll need those little tanning glasses.
There should be some type of cleaning solution with towels or paper towels for cleaning off the bed before you get in it and after you get out.
read the rest of the article here
I am aware of the risks but I'm in no rush to look pasty on the beach and even that little extra bit of protection can't hurt when it's only a few weeks worth of sessions.
But it's your body, do what you want.
As far as getting a pre-tan so you don't look so pasty, that's another issue. Just don't get the idea that it's going to provide you with much sun protection.
I just got back from the FL keys and I'm only a touch darker, with no sunburning happening (and I didn't pre-tan). Of course, personally I think that the color of your skin doesn't matter so much -- if you're tan but out of shape...
If you want a really good-looking tan, splurge on a bottle of tanning lotion. The stuff generally contains bronzers to make you look a bit darker (choose a product with only 1-2 for your first time or you will come out orange flavored), and accelerants to promote a quick tan. The lotion also keeps your skin well-hydrated, which deepens a tan and extends its life.
If you don't want to splurge on tanning lotion, get some regular lotion and use it before and after each session. This is practically a must because otherwise your tans will be more painful and will not last as long. Tanning does tend to dry out your skin pretty well too, which is not fun.
I recommend you go your first time for 5-7 minutes. See where you burn (in my experience, it was my ass because it had never seen the sun :winky: ) and consider using some low-SPF lotion on those areas next time. This will prevent you from burning, and yes, you'll tan slower there, but you'll get a much better, deeper tan. Burning is a complete waste of tanning time because it doesn't last as long and hurts like fuck. After a week, week and a half, don't use the sunscreen (or use super-low SPF) and see how it goes. Just slowly wean yourself off.
In case you didn't already guess, tan naked except for a sock on your little buddy. That said, make SURE you find a place that sanitizes their beds between customers. Nothin' nastier than laying in someone else's bodily fluids.
Also make sure you get yourself some goggles, if your tanning salon doesn't provide anything for free (most do - some of them just have annoying little disposable sticky things, which work fine). Tanning bed light is extremely bad for your eyes and can cause some immediate, permanent damage. One of the best ways to gauge a good salon is to see if they REQUIRE eye protection; if they do, they are probably pretty good.
Don't shower or exercise for 6-8 hours after your tan; this will allow the tan to develop fully. Sweat or water on your skin will dry out your skin and wash off bronzers which will result in a less-deep tan. If you can, tan in the evening then go to bed and let it sit overnight.
Wait at least 48 hours between tans. Anything more frequent won't give you the full benefit and will only hurt your skin. (well, let's be honest, if you're tanning you're already hurting it, but why make it worse?!) If you burn, wait until the burn is no longer red and painful. (for me this was never more than 72 hours)
Necessary disclaimer: Tanning beds are VERY bad for you. Why don't you consider doing spray tan or bottle tans? You can get a professionally done spray tan for probably less than you'd pay to build up a tan in the weeks before, it won't damage your skin, and you can get it done right before your vacation and fake a decent tan for the first few days until you really DO get tanned.
edit: forgot to mention - use lotion on the days you don't tan. you can use cheap lotion for this, don't have to use tanning lotion (would sorta be a waste unless you're going outside).
Right and what she's also saying as are some other people is that your plan is crap and won't result in you not burning but that continually applying sun block will. Especially since what you think will be a little bit of extra protection can result in damaging your skin more. It sounds like this is more a vanity thing than a protection thing so you may as well be upfront about that. If you're really that concerned about being pale on the beach get a spray tan but don't fool yourself into thinking that anything replaces regularly applying sunblock in terms of protection.
You need to calm down.
*although it DOES still help a little... just sayin'