Tanning for Beginners?

aznsong50 · April 2011

So I've never been tanning due partially to a (totally justified) fear of skin cancer, and partially to the fact that I'm half-Filipino and don't really need it. However, I've been noticing some very conspicuous tan lines--and the fact that my left arm is visibly darker than my right side (probably from driving). While my dress is not strapless, the strips of light skin are kind of awkward...I've heard that going tanning can even this out. Is this true? Any advice for beginners? Or should I even bother?

fallbride1109 · April 2011

Without going on a soapbox, I cannot and will not ever recommend a tanning bed. Ever.

I had some faint tan lines and I got a spray tan to cover mine. Airbrush tanning is another great option, as they can "customize" the tan for you and give you more precise coverage.

crlewis803 · April 2011

A good spray tan can hide lines. A good spray tan can be customized to match your skin tone and cover up the tan lines. I did this last year for a friends wedding and it covered up my tan lines great! Going to just a tanning bed might make you darker and it could take the lighter areas a while to catch up (and then you'd be darker overall too). I was very satisfied with a spray tan.

srkropf · April 2011

If you don't want to spray tan, you could probably get a tinted moisturizer, like a tan lotion, that would help create balance-- from the privacy of your own home

joyfulbride424 · April 2011

no tan is a good tan

(except a spray tan)

SarahF20 · April 2011

I work in a tanning salon, so I of course recommend tanning in a bed. I have done research papers in school and have been trained on the effects of UVB and UVA on the body and it's relation to skin cancer.

BURNING causes an increased risk for cancer, not tanning in an appropriate manner. Most studies that have been released that link tanning to increased rates of skin cancer use particpants that tanned 10-20 years ago when lamps were UVC and un-regulated. It takes years for the effects of UV exposure to show up in the form of cancer. Most people that conduct this research are "funded" by pharmaceutical companies that benefit from the sale of sun block and SPF products. Also, most people that have skin cancer are those who work indoors and are not exposed to the sun much, because they tend to burn when they are since they have no base tan to protect them.

If you follow the exposure schedule set on the bed (it is required by law to be posted on every unit by the manufacturer), you have a much lower risk of overexposing. If you go to an educated tanning salon that carries a Smart Tan certification you will find people that can recommend which type of bed would be best for your skin type and set you up in the correct bed for the correct amount of time.

There's my little soapbox. I have worked in the tanning industry for 6 years and I get aggravated when people are uneducated about tanning and skin cancer. Many things have ill effects if they are abused and overused, but if they are done in moderation the risk is significantly dereased. UVB also aids in the productioni of viatamin D, which over half of the US population is deficient in and drinking milk and taking supplements does not compensate for it.

If you would like me to direct you to reputable research articles that can further reiterate my points, let me know : ]

gymbugmj2k · April 2011

whatever you try - do it WELL before the wedding date. you can always re-do it closer to the day.

if it was me, i'd try a spray tan. if that turned out weird, then i'd go for the tanning bed/try makeup.

Hays2be · April 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-beauty_tanning-beginners?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:358Discussion:eec95f52-3bc1-40a2-8429-fe0866d7c5e2Post:65236c6b-7819-4c9a-a193-2749c9024610">Re: Tanning for Beginners?</a>:
[QUOTE]Without going on a soapbox, I cannot and will not ever recommend a tanning bed. Ever. Posted by stephiehall[/QUOTE]

I will jump on the soap box. I've done too many cancer excisions and major reconstructions due to tanning. The youngest was in her teens. While you may get shape and function from a reconstruction, it's never quite the same.

Don't do it.

<Jumping off soap box />

katelyn26 · April 2011

Go to the beds! It is so worth it!

jemmini6 · April 2011

In Response to Re: Tanning for Beginners?:
[QUOTE]I work in a tanning salon, so I of course recommend tanning in a bed. I have done research papers in school and have been trained on the effects of UVB and UVA on the body and it's relation to skin cancer. BURNING causes an increased risk for cancer, not tanning in an appropriate manner. Most studies that have been released that link tanning to increased rates of skin cancer use particpants that tanned 10-20 years ago when lamps were UVC and un-regulated. It takes years for the effects of UV exposure to show up in the form of cancer. Most people that conduct this research are "funded" by pharmaceutical companies that benefit from the sale of sun block and SPF products. Also, most people that have skin cancer are those who work indoors and are not exposed to the sun much, because they tend to burn when they are since they have no base tan to protect them. If you follow the exposure schedule set on the bed (it is required by law to be posted on every unit by the manufacturer), you have a much lower risk of overexposing. If you go to an educated tanning salon that carries a Smart Tan certification you will find people that can recommend which type of bed would be best for your skin type and set you up in the correct bed for the correct amount of time. There's my little soapbox. I have worked in the tanning industry for 6 years and I get aggravated when people are uneducated about tanning and skin cancer. Many things have ill effects if they are abused and overused, but if they are done in moderation the risk is significantly dereased. UVB also aids in the productioni of viatamin D, which over half of the US population is deficient in and drinking milk and taking supplements does not compensate for it. If you would like me to direct you to reputable research articles that can further reiterate my points, let me know : ]
Posted by SarahF20[/QUOTE]

Because working in a tanning salon makes you a doctor? I don't think so. I'll take the advise of my dermatologist who doesn't directly benefit from giving bad advice to people to use cancer causing machines (I'd hardly call all the' business' they get removing melenoma as a 'benefit'). Tobacco companies try to tell people that cigarettes aren't that bad either and that we've all just been "misinformed" all this time too...

Skin cancer is a very real threat from tanning, no matter how "safe" people in the business claim it to be. You are much better off doing a customizable airbrush tan, which can blend in all your tan lines for you. Not to mention, that using a tanning bed isn't going to get rid of tan lines...it's going to make the white AND tan areas darker...it's not magically going to tan only the paler parts of your skin unless you use heavy sunscreen over the tan parts...which is just a PITA anyways.

katelyn26 · April 2011

Tanning has many benefits and there's not guarantee you'll get skin cancer. I've been going 2 years and I'm completely fine. I have eczema and the heat helps with it and keeps it from flaring up. And yes tanning in a bed will even out tan lines

katiedidthat · April 2011

I vote for spray tan or airbrush tan, as it will be easier to even you out that way and because if you are hesitant about going to a tanning bed normally, don't forgo that for your wedding.

pinkashy · April 2011

I too have problems with my skin flaring in the most obvious of places and tanning definitely seems to curb the problem...just keep the moisturizer handy!

Habs2Hart · April 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-beauty_tanning-beginners?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:358Discussion:eec95f52-3bc1-40a2-8429-fe0866d7c5e2Post:d49a1c28-4a15-426e-aa06-15a0e86a8189">Re: Tanning for Beginners?</a>:
[QUOTE]I work in a tanning salon, so I of course recommend tanning in a bed. I have done research papers in school and have been trained on the effects of UVB and UVA on the body and it's relation to skin cancer. BURNING causes an increased risk for cancer, not tanning in an appropriate manner. Most studies that have been released that link tanning to increased rates of skin cancer use particpants that tanned 10-20 years ago when lamps were UVC and un-regulated.<strong> It takes years for the effects of UV exposure to show up in the form of cancer</strong>. Most people that conduct this research are "funded" by pharmaceutical companies that benefit from the sale of sun block and SPF products. Also, most people that have skin cancer are those who work indoors and are not exposed to the sun much, because they tend to burn when they are since they have no base tan to protect them. If you follow the exposure schedule set on the bed (it is required by law to be posted on every unit by the manufacturer), you have a much lower risk of overexposing. If you go to an educated tanning salon that carries a Smart Tan certification you will find people that can recommend which type of bed would be best for your skin type and set you up in the correct bed for the correct amount of time. There's my little soapbox. I have worked in the tanning industry for 6 years and I get aggravated when people are uneducated about tanning and skin cancer. Many things have ill effects if they are abused and overused, but if they are done in moderation the risk is significantly dereased. UVB also aids in the productioni of viatamin D, which over half of the US population is deficient in and drinking milk and taking supplements does not compensate for it. If you would like me to direct you to reputable research articles that can further reiterate my points, let me know : ]
Posted by SarahF20[/QUOTE]

So, because it takes years to show up, it's perfectly acceptable to do it now?

Working in a tanning salon does not make you a doctor. Sorry. Tanning is not good for you and has been proven time and time again.

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