Tanning While Being Safe

sunshine. · Newbie Joined: 22 Mar 2008 Posts: 23 Smiles: 0 140

I'm fairly pale, but I want a bit of a tan for this summer. I know alot about skin cancer and damage, and for my whole life I have always worn sunscreen and stayed out of the sun. Skin Cancer doesn't run in my family.

So my question is, is it possible to get a tan while using sunscreen and being safe? If I were to go in the sun alot this summer, while using a good spf, could I get a tan?

.beautiful. · Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 6:28 pm Post subject:

Eventually you will tan, it will just take a little longer. But if I were you, I would rather take all summer to get the perfect tan, than risk getting cancer.
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missally · Supermodel Joined: 06 Dec 2006 Posts: 734 Smiles: +11 559

I'd suggest reading these:

how tanning actually works: http://www.tanningtruth.com/index.php/how_your_skin_tans/
why indoor tanning is the smartest way:
http://www.tanningtruth.com/index.php/indoor_tanning/
http://media.www.royalpurplenews.com/media/storage/paper1225/news/2008/04/02/Lifestyle/Dear-Abi.Truth.About.Tanning-3295882.shtml

getting sunburns repeatedly can cause cancer, and they are finding more and more evidence to prove this. they're also seeing that tanning is not the cause of cancer, but it may cause wrinkles and premature aging. however, they are many tanning lotions and stuff you can buy for the tanning beds which help to subside these effects.

emcee · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 11:52 am Post subject:

Um I agree with what ^^ said. If you use SPF like I do I just go dark really slowly and don't burn. I think that is probably the best way. Sunlight is "good" for you because you get vitamin D from it, but I've heard that you don't even need that much sunlight to get all your Vitamin D. I would definitely say play it safe. Or even use a fake tanner.

_TNA_ · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 3:04 pm Post subject:

^Yeah, I heard that 10 minutes of sun exposer sans proctection is actually good for you.

Everytime you expose yourself to the sun, your puttting yourself at risk for skin cancer. This doesn't mean to live paranoid! If you have a high SPF on (esp. sicne your pale go for like 30 or 40) you will be fine. Remember to reapply ALOT, esp. after swimming, physical activity, or sweating. If you notice yourself gettting red on a certain area, reapply MORE. I would say a standard reapplying rate would be every 45-60min.

Another tip:
Put tanning oil or baby oil (I have heard this works, but I have never tried it) on top of your sunscreen. The oils help you tan.

Also, you tan better in the water. So if your in a lake, pool, or the ocean, you are going to tan so much better, compared to being dry. Just make sure to reapply lotion after you get out.

Doing the above, along with using a sunless tanner, and you will be tanned in no time!
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greenism · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 3:31 pm Post subject:

^ The tanning oil might work, but I heard baby oil for tanning is like the worst thing you can do because it basically fries you...

I don't really think there's a "safe" way to tan other than self-tanners because what makes your skin darker is the "cooking" of your skin. You can't really get darker without toasting your skin, if that makes sense. I know there are some tanning oils that have SPF, but it really doesn't do much since it's increasing the effects of the UVA/UVB more than it's protecting you from it.
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