To Tan or Not to Tan?

[rawrrawrrawramy]

I know how bad tanning is for you, I totally understand that. But I feel like I am obligated to go because everyone I know is always darker than me. Even people who don't go to the tanning beds! My skin in very pale, no WHITE, and translucent. People are constantly asking me if I am sick, or telling me I need to go to the tanning beds. I've even had people ask/call me albino! I have been teased about being so pale for many years now and even though I know there are serious risks associated with tanning, I still really, REALLY want to go. I am constantly trying to find ways to make my skin appear darker, I cannot tell you how much money I have wasted on self-tanners, spray tans, foundations, bronzers, etc. I compare my skin tone to everyone elses' and I wonder what is wrong with me. I am all the time worrying and thinking about what color my skin is. I've tried everything I can think of, my self tan always is too light, orange, yellow... whatever. I try to use tons of dark colored makeup to make myself look darker but that looks fake and rubs off quickly. I just feel so bad about myself I am to the point where I just want to tan in the beds, because I know I'll get a great tan from that. I mean, I'm either going to be called yellow or albino so what's the difference? Sorry for the rant, I just had to tell someone how I feel.

 

[MissMudPie]

I know what you mean. I used to love tanning, and I went almost every day. I stopped going because I was afraid of getting skin cancer.

Does your skin tan in the sun? Because if it doesn't, it won't tan in a bed either.

 

[rawrrawrrawramy]

Yes, I get a nice tan in a bed.

 

[rejectstar]

Well... all I can recommend is to stop comparing yourself to other people. Yeah, it's hard not to, I know... but you need to accept yourself as you are. Tanning is so bad for your skin. I guess you could ask yourself this question: Would you rather suck it up and embrace your natural skin tone, or give into this societal pressure to be tanned and end up looking like an old wrinkly leather shoe when you're 45??

Don't let people get to you! I am pale as they come, and I have no desire to tan at all. Did you know in some Asian countries it's considered more beautiful to have pale skin and people spend thousands of dollars on lightening products? It's pretty funny, actually... one side of the world, the women are clamoring for the tanning beds and beaches wanting to be as bronzed as the next... and on the other side, the women avoid the sun like the plague, slather on SPF 60 sunscreens and use bleaching products on their skin! Differences in society never cease to amuse me.

In the end, I guess that all this might not really help you at all... unless you're ready to start loving yourself the way nature made you /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[suzukigirl]

I am very fair. I have never tanned. The best self-tanner is @ Sally Beauty Supply, it's called Savage Bronzer. It will not streak. I have tried all of them trust me. It cost 8.99!

 

[Manda]

I think Im going to go get a spray tan this year, I don't go to tanning beds and I don't want to get skin cancer from being out in the sun, Ive done that for wayyyy tooo many years now!

 

[itzmarylicious]

Wow, I am jealous. My skin is dark for an asian person. My mom always tells me I need to stay out of the sun. If i dont i end up tanning and i start to look like a dark famer girl from china. Everyone in my family has the typical white translucent skin that you are describing except me!!!! THeir makeup and hair loks so much better on them too! I'm always so jealous of people in my family. When i was In HS people were alwasy so envious b/c they said i looked tan year round!!But i just thought they were crazy or trying to make me feel better. Just like you for many years i have tried so many things to lighten my skin color. I bought so many whitening products I couldve spend it on a one time bleaching surgery and end up like michael jackson. Recently; I gave up on all that....I realized to embrace who I am and make the best of it. Of course I loaded up on sun screen whenever i went out. BUt i realized that w/o worrying about if i would get dark; i had more fun in the sun! hehe.

Whatever you decide to do, you should be happy for who you are and be happy about it because you never know who is envious of your skin color. But, If you want to tan you can go and buy the banana boat tanning spray with SPF!! i'm sure you'll get a really nice glow and same time protect yourself from the sun!!

 

[dixiewolf]

I am the color of snow, and I dont want to be tan. When I was younger I used fake tanner, but it's too much trouble. I dont mind my coloring. I have to stay out of the sun b/c I blister and turn red. I am the only pale family member, and no I am not adopted, lol. My only gripe about being pale is that it is hard to find foundation.

 

[tadzio79]

I'm in the same boat as you are, my skin tans so easily.

I've learned to apply SPF year round finally, after my brother in law had a skin cancer scare. :scared:

 

[TheOpenRoad]

I too, am so tempted to tan. My skin is light but I use Famous Dave's self tanner sometimes which works well. It's a hassle to keep up with and I used to loveeeee going to the stand up tanning booths. EVEN WORSE, I still have 3-4 tans that I already paid for to use at Hollywood Tans, which are non-transferrable or refundable. So that's like over $40 (I go in the highest power stand-up) that will just sit there if I don't go tanning. Ugh.

 

[Princess6828]

I have started going tanning again - just to build a nice base for the summer. Plus the "sun" helps me with my mood. I'm not usually like paste white, but I like being dark.

 

[Gwendela]

Awww sweetie I'm sorry. I know it's easy for people to say to be happy with yourself, but if it were only that simple.

If you do decide to tan I recommend educating yourself about tanning. Tanning isn't 100% safe, but people do tend to do some really silly things that can really put their health in jeopardy.

 

[eiraMLisa]

Trust me I know exactly what you're talking about!!! I am sooo white it is gross!!!! I haven't tanned in almost a year and is sooo sad. I won't even go out of the house! I stop tanning and going out be/c I had a bad breakout and have left over marks so I'm waiting for them to disappear. I can't wait to tan again!!

 

[Shelley]

I tan very easily, olive/yellow skin tone, but even so I am still careful. I use to be a sun worshipper, either baking outside or tanning beds. My Uncle had skin cancer, luckily not the worse kind, but still enough to be scary.

One of my neighbours down the street is in her late 60's but you would think she is at least 10 years younger. She has a paler complexion, but still beautiful, and she told me her secret is that she has never suntanned in her life. Always wore sunscreen, hats etc.

If you really feel you want color, I would try one of those spray sun tan booths, that give you a fake tan.

 

[eiraMLisa]

Seriously I would go if I were you. You would feel soo much better about yourself.