Do people still use tanning beds?

[Andi]

This is totally random, I know. I came across a 2008 thread on a beauty forum, where the OP asked people if she looked better with her natural skintone or ultra-tanned (needless to say, every single person thought her natural skintone looked better, she wasn´t even pale-NC37 it think!) .

So it just got me thinking about the old tanning bed issue and wanted to hear some stories.

Do you currently use tanning beds?

Have you used tanning beds in the past (or were you a sun worshipper)? If so, how often and how long? Do you/did you notice any sun damage on your skin from that time?

I don´t use tanning beds now because I am very much into protecting my skin from UV damage. I use sunscreen every day now, and I´ll keep doing that to prevent future damage.

I have used tanning beds randomly in the past. There were 3 periods of time in my life where I did use them regularly (at 16, 19 and 21 I think). I went 2-3 times a week for like 12min, and kept that up for around 2 months-usually to get a base tan before summer.

Immediately after I´d get out of the tanning bed, I´d always see new freckles on my face and it looked splotchy. And often enough, a few hours later I´d get that itchy feeling on some parts of my body as the tan developed. Overall, I burnt about 6 times maybe (thank god never on my face as I made sure to either turned down the intensity on the part that tans your face, or I turned it off), one time I burnt pretty badly (which was the also the last time I ever went!)

I don´t have sun damage on my skin as I´ve been using Retin-A and chemical exfoliants for about 4 years now. I hope this has reversed the damage I have done, which would otherwise probably start showing in a few years (I´m 26 now).

 

[magosienne]

Never did, never will, and i'm always telling people they shouldn't go to the tanning beds ! The amount of UV rays i would receive is enough to send chills down my spine.

When i was a kid, we didn't have as much culture about sun damage and skin cancers, and i've rarely worn sun protection. To my parents, still today, sunscreen is only to be used when you're at the beach. I even got a few burns when i was younger, i was peeling like a snake.

It's only when i had bad acne around 17 i started to understand sun was a false friend and i had to use sun protection.

In the 4 types of skin derms distinguish when it comes to determine what sun protection you should use, i'm either type 1 or 2, i could never really determine which one. In either case it means i have to use a high spf. I've also realised just by experience i can get easily burnt, even under 15 minutes depending on the location. When i'm outside the whole day i will even wear clothes with a built in sunscreen (check the Columbia Omnishade clothes for example). In my opinion skin cancer is so dangerous and can be prevented, so you have to use sunscreen, you will always spend less money on sunscreen than you will on cancer treatments.

 

[Dragonfly]

Maybe the question should be asked:

When you use a tanning bed, what level of sunscreen do you apply before hand?

Retorical question, never mind.

 

[xNadia]

I rarely used tanning beds when I was younger. I think in my junior/senior year is when I tried them out with a friend, it was low level but for the 15/20 minutes one. It wasn't every day when we'd go and at the time I didn't really think much of it, they said it's safer than the sun. (go figure, you believe everything you hear!) Perhaps 3x a month for a few months we kept it up, and a few occasions where it was twice a week. I'm not sure what made me stop, though? I use sunscreen if I'm going to be outside, even in the winter! I use a Vegan sunscreen that has Zinc, make sure you get Zinc, that is the real sunscreen protector!!! I tried the spray tans a few times, did any of you guys try those out? They're not bad. I'm sure they're not "healthy" for you, but definitely a bit better than burning your skin, I think! /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> I'm grateful my skin doesn't burn, probably my genes, but I take precautions now to block out that darn sun. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[Ashley726]

I have never used a tanning bed but I wanted to start going for the longest time but I definately dont think its worth the risks that come with it just to get the desired skin color you want. I am superrr white and dont tan even when I burn so it probably wouldnt even help me either way /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> 

 

[Aishu]

It shocks me sometimes how much some people actually fake tan, some even as much as every other day! The amount of UV rays you're exposing yourself to just isn't worth the skin cancer you might get later. Especially since a lot of people look way better with their natural skin color, and those unfortunate ones who come out looking orange.

 

[Darla]

nver used a tanning bed, but if it is any indication tanning places around me are offering really cheap specials to get people in there.   you can almost go for a series of visits for less than a single one! 

 

[Kiss_My_Tiara]

Hi Andi! I used to tan outdoors as a teenager but never have tanned my face and back then I would go to to a tanning bed before a special occasion.  I was looking at some photos of a party from last summer, the photos of the women who had tanned looked muddy brown and the women who actually looked the best were those that had a healthy glow from a little bronzer or a tinted moisturizer.  All the sun does is age you, I grew up at the beach and love the sun but can't forget the Floridian lady in the movie Something About Mary. I happen to know 40 year olds that look just like that from years of baking themselves in the sun, it's not very pretty.

When purchasing UV protection (sunscreen) make sure you select a product with UVA and UVB protection.  The "A" rays are the aging rays, "B" are the burning rays which is why you want both. 

I love Obagi Medical Nu Derm Sun Shield SPF 50, it's paraben-free and non-allergenic.  I use Retin-A daily along with their UV protection.  If I run out and can't get to my Dr's office I buy zinc oxide at the drug store.

I found a great product I bought at Tuesday Morning called Only Skin Deep, it's a tinted moisturizer with a shimmer and is beautiful on the skin.  I've used it this summer and now I can't find it anywhere.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, I'm allergic to  dihydroxyacetone (DHA) which is in self-tanners. 

You'll be grateful in a few years that you refrained from using tanning beds or a great deal of sun exposure.