Tanning & Teeth!

Smooch711

Hi Ladies!
Just wondered if any of you have started tanning for the wedding. I've never tanned before, and am looking for some advice. I'm blonde/fair complexion. What would you suggest for a beginner? I'm thinking of a tanning bed (since it's in the gym) but don't know much about them.

Also, anyone doing teeth whitening? (The Crest white strips kind) How long does that take? Anyone love it or hate it? Again, I've never done.

Any advice on either subject is appreciated! TIA.

volleygurl0306

I'm fair and blonde too and do not tan.  A tanning bed would burn me personally.  I tried a spray tan a while ago thinking I may do it for the wedding.  FI told me I didn't look like "me" with a tan so it got nixed and I'll be looking porcelain for the wedding.

I have done white strips before and will be doing them again before the wedding.  They have 2 and 3 week sets now I think.  I never had a problem with sensitivity but have heard of people who have.  I would suggest backing out 10-14 days before the wedding to end your white strip cycle so if you are sensitive your teeth can heal in time to enjoy your food and drinks at the wedding.  Then start 2-3 weeks before that based on what kind you get.  After the treatment though, if you can't avoid red wine, coffee, beer, sodas, and other teeth stainers, drink them through a straw (yes, that is the classiest way to drink wine) and brush your teeth immediately after so you don't undo the work your strips did!

jjswin

My FI is blonde and fair and has started tanning already, we are getting married 9/22. Just start slow, like 4 mins the first day and take it from there. Bronzer lotion is important, and once you start try to keep up with it (like every 3 days) so you don't lose what you gained.
As for the teeth whitening the Crest strips work great for the front teeth but don't give you full coverage because of the size. Most people I know have done two full treatments before there wedding.
Hope this helps.

FutureMrsR5711

Tanning is so dangerous. I used to tan all the time. Then my mom had melanoma from tanning too much I was slapped with reality. Spend weekends out in the sun doing yard work with appropriate SPF and you will look like you with a glow. If you are really anxious, Jergen's makes a great self tanning lotion that looks natural.

I've had success in the past with the Crest strips. I will be doing them again for the wedding. I should buy them soon!

cronin85

I dont think tanning is good idea at all.  I have pretty fair skin and I burn like crazy (nothing is worse then coming out from a tanning bed and having your butt burnt!) Plus, dont you want to look as natural as possible on your wedding day?  Everyone you know will be there, and they obviously know you are naturally fair so why not embrace it?

No matter what you choose, you will look beautiful!  Just be careful if you choose the tanning option (because it is your first time)...

MrsBassPlaya

I'm a redhead so I never ever go tanning, except this year I started tanning at the beginning of summer.  I work outside, and no matter how much sun screen I use, I always get a bit of a farmer's tan.  I've been trying to avoid that as much as possible and tanning my whole body to match.  I still have a slight farmer's tan, but it's not as bad as most years.  I'm enjoying being a shade darker than normal, too.  I doubt I'd keep up tanning in the future.  But this is also good because I'll be going to Jamaica on my honemoon, and I don't want to end up getting my sunscreen washed off and not being able to reapply right away and ending up with a massive burn.  If I start out slightly darker, than I'll be able to help prevent accidental horrible burns.  That happened to my parents in Hawaii while they were snorkeling, and they had a 9 hr flight the next day day.  Owie!

As far as teeth whitening, I just used the Rembrandt 2 hr one.  I liked it because it wasn't strips, and the darker part of my teeth are the edges, anyway.  I feel like strips really only get the middle of the teeth.  Since it's a gel, it gets into the crevaces.  I usually have super sensitive teeth, so I was worried.  I did 3 of the 4 treatments and my teeth started to get sensitive, so I decided to wait a couple days before the 4th.  However, it's a definite change that I've noticed.  I liked it, and I'd recommend it.

BMcLeodTeam

I have been using the Jergens Natural Glow, its a self tanning lotion and works really well.  A lot safer than a tanning bed!!!

As for teeth whitening, I haven't even thought about that yet but I used Crest Whitestrips for my epics and it worked great. I got a lot of compliments.

kmleon83

i don't go tanning..i'm really into it but unfortunately, i got some terrible sunburn on vacation that left me with THE worst lines! anyone have suggestions as to how to fix this? my dress is strapless and i don't want these lines showing!

cronin85

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_september-2012-weddings_tanning-teeth?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:a464c18c-2e4d-469b-8eae-3865079cb9cfDiscussion:b8572ab0-c333-462f-bd0a-76087aa5bc5ePost:401cecd5-b39e-4390-b731-8b95e8fb7c81">Re: Tanning & Teeth!</a>:
[QUOTE]i don't go tanning..i'm really into it but unfortunately, i got some terrible sunburn on vacation that left me with THE worst lines! anyone have suggestions as to how to fix this? my dress is strapless and i don't want these lines showing!
Posted by kmleon83[/QUOTE]


Possibly a spray tan???

Smooch711

Thanks for all of the advice and opinions!

Not sure what I'm doing about the tanning. I have been outside and do have some color on my arms and shoulders - but I have tank top lines and my dress is strapless, so that's the only reason I'd even think to tan honestly.

jessa1228

I had precancerous skin legions removed when I was 15 and was told to stay out of tanning beds and avoid prolonged sun exposure. And of course, I'm extremely fair skinned so I burn instead of tan. Right now I have a "runner's tan", lol. I'm thinking about getting a spray tan but I'm petrified of it looking terrible. FI likes me on the paler side anyway, so who knows.

gabriel0915

I'm an assistant at a tanning salon and I honestly tell people with fair skin that a spray is a better option. Fair skinned people are more likely to burn and have a higher skin cancer risk. You are able to work with a spray and work on the level of tan to make it look the most natural color that you are happiest with. Make sure, if you choose to spray, to use a color maximizer (California Tan) and Pre-tan Intensifier (Sunless Pro VersaSpa) are the best options. You put them on before you spray while in the booth and it gives your color a better look and it helps to reduce blotching and helps the color fade evenly. Also make sure to spray at least once to see how it works and then spray 2 days before the wedding.

Smooch711

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_september-2012-weddings_tanning-teeth?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:a464c18c-2e4d-469b-8eae-3865079cb9cfDiscussion:b8572ab0-c333-462f-bd0a-76087aa5bc5ePost:9a3938bc-93d6-47f0-aaf0-2b72ab407fe4">Re: Tanning & Teeth!</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm an assistant at a tanning salon and I honestly tell people with fair skin that a spray is a better option. Fair skinned people are more likely to burn and have a higher skin cancer risk. You are able to work with a spray and work on the level of tan to make it look the most natural color that you are happiest with. Make sure, if you choose to spray, to use a color maximizer (California Tan) and Pre-tan Intensifier (Sunless Pro VersaSpa) are the best options. You put them on before you spray while in the booth and it gives your color a better look and it helps to reduce blotching and helps the color fade evenly. Also make sure to spray at least once to see how it works and then spray 2 days before the wedding.
Posted by futuregabriel[/QUOTE]

Very helpful information! Thank you!

jamie5482

I won't be tanning because even though I do tan easily I don't really have time. I don't mind looking a little paler because FI has had skin cancer and since I am always reminding/ encouraging him to use sunscreen I have developed better habits. 

I definitely have to start bleaching my teeth, I keep forgetting to do it. I have a bleaching tray that fits my teeth but I'll have to check to see if the bleaching gel has expired. 

lbarr088

I tan occasionally, maybe once per week if that or I bump it up for pre-wedding events.  I'm blonde but I do tan pretty well and usually don't burn in a bed as long as I don't do a really high level.  When I'm out in the sun I wear a bandeau top so I don't get tan lines.  I'm planning on doing white strips in a week or so.

calindi

I have never done tanning booths before, but I've just started doing tanning booths at my gym 1-2x per week, 2-4 minutes max each time, with SPF 15.  I'm just doing it to get a little sun, not a serious tan, and I'll never do it again after the wedding.  It has the side effect of helping clear up my skin as well.  I do know the risks and I'm not willing to do it long term, but I think 1-2x per week for 3 weeks before the wedding with sunscreen should be a reasonable risk.

If you aren't willing to do that, Jergens natural glow tanning lotion is good for just a bit of color.  Use it every day after the shower, and don't use it 2 days before the wedding (so it doesn't rub off on the dress).  I've also done spray on tan with mixed results - on a very low setting, i can add just a hint of color.  On a medium setting, it can make you look like Snooki.

For Crest Whitestrips, I've used them for years.  The normal ones can be used 1x per day for 2 weeks for fantastic results.  I've got the Professional Effects right now, and it can make my teeth SUPER sensitive if I leave it on over 30 minutes.  But it's working really well!  3x per week, 20 minutes each time, and they're looking super white!

Jennybenny5785

I am not doing the tanning thing.  However, I just started doing the crest white strips yesterday today was my second day using them and I am already noticing a little bit of a difference.  I have had friends use the Crest white strips in the past and have raved about the results so I am excited to see the outcome after 2 weeks of using them.

Jennybenny5785

Oh and the Crest White strips only take 30min once a day and you do it for 14 days.