Thinking about getting into the tanning bed...

[Jason03RD]

and need some advice. I've never got into a tanning bed before! Also im a guy (so embarrest..LMAO) but my sister has a tanning bed and I wanted to start tanning my self I ask my sister did she use some kind of lotion, she said what kind (dont remember what kind she said) but was only one kind of lotion, but I looked up some info on the net about tanning and I saw some info about using lotion before tanning and after, using goggles etc. etc.! But it never said what kind of lotion. Could some one tell me what to use and when to use it while tanning? My sister doesnt use goggles or much anything! That to me seems like it would be a bit dangerous.

One more thing I wanted to ask, when I was a kid my hair was red (im 19 now) but now my hair is much more brown than red, but I have heard before that people with red hair it makes it hard for them to tan! Makes their skin red and peel off. Is there anything to this? I would like my face to be brown and not red. My eye brows use to be red to but they are JET BLACK now! Strange! Does hair color really have anything to do with it?

Again im a guy and have NO clue about this stuff.

BTY... If this site is for people that is in the tanning business only im sorry for posting this here, I did a search on google but couldnt find anything helpful but this site, if there is one out there thats better for my questions please give me a link.

[TANBABE]

oh no. how long ur sister been on tanning bed without goggles????/

[Sc0tt]

Hey - Don't worry, a lot of guys tan. Thats cool your sister has her own tanning bed, I would use hers! BUT - you really need to use goggles - as well as your sister. It can be very damaging to your eyes and cause night vision loss and a buncha other things. Iwould recomend a good moisturizer and lotion to use WHILE tanning (lotion people please help him on this one ). Just make sure you order some goggles (www.californiatan.com) offline, or I THINK you can buy some at your local salon, but not sure. Tan in moderation, start out slow. If you're a red head, I would start out at 8 minutes, and then do that for a week and go every other day IF YOU DONT TURN PINK OR BURN. Then the next week go 10 every other day, then the next week 12, then 14, then 16, etc, until you reach 20. TAN IN MODERATION, NEVER BURN. Don't tan 2 days in a row - its not good for your skin. I hope i helped on this, and again i Can relate cuz i'm a guy also, but i like the 'bronzed look'. Good luck.

[ladyboss]

First, Yes you HAVE to wear eye protection or you can cause serious damage to your eyes. When you first start out tanning you should start slow especially if have fair skin do 5 minutes every other day and you can increase your time every week and always use a tanning lotion for indoor tanning - you can check the love it or shove it forum for many suggestions on good step 1 lotions and Always use a moisturizer to keep your skin from becoming dry. I always moisturize after showering and then again before bed. Check around this site and you'll find alot of information on safe tanning! Just remember never let yourself burn building a tan takes time and please tell your sister about the importance of eye protection too. Good Luck and welcome to the board.

[LavenderFleur]

First, like everyone else said, you NEED to wear goggles. You could buy some from a local salon or even on the net if you wanted to go that route. Next, I had red hair when I was little too, and it eventually turned into a light reddish brown color. I can tan just fine, but it takes a little longer for me than a lot of people. You just have to go slow and work up to the max time. If you have never tanned before, I would start out at 6 or 7 minutes and then, when you see no more color with that time, move your time up by 1 or 2 minutes, NO MORE! Moving up too soon is a good way to burn (trust me, I know! lol). Tanning lotion is good to use. There are several out there that are great. Since you are a guy I would recommend Dark and Dazed by Emerald Bay. Good, cheaper lotion that doesn't smell girly. I know there are more that I just can't think of now. You need to make sure to keep your skin moisturized. There are a lot of after tan lotions out there for this purpose. One I think that would be great for you would be Total Immersion by California Tan. It has a real light, clean scent and works GREAT!!

[StarryEyes]

Another good guy lotion is 2Twisted by Fiesta Sun. It smells kinda vegetation like to me, but other people smell lime. As for moisturizers, I like Fully Loaded by Fiesta Sun.

[TanPimp]

Only cool guys tan

[sunbunny]

Welcome to iamTAN! This site is for tanners, not just salon owners. PLEASE tell your sister ASAP about using eye protection. Not using it can cause serious eye problems, including uv keratitis and impaired night vision. I'll bump up some topics discussing the importance of eye protection. Also, if you click on the eye pro banner, it will take you brenda's site. It also has great info on eye protection, and you can also fill out the questionaire to receive free samples of her disposable eye protection.

There is a form which will allow you to determine your skin type. I'll post the link for you in a bit. Everyone has given great advice. Developing a tan takes time...just be patient and never let yourself burn.

Check out love it or shove it for lotion tips. We've discussed just about every lotion made. Lav mentioned Dark n Dazed. My husband uses this and loves it.

Don't hesitate to ask any questions you might have. And have fun reading the board. There's lots of excellent info here.

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[ This Message was edited by: sunbunny on 2003-08-10 18:22 ]

[sunbunny]

Here is a link to a skin typing form. http://www.naatso.org/frameset_survey.htm

[Jason03RD]

''oh no. how long ur sister been on tanning bed without goggles????/''

Well I have two sisters and both are in their late 30s and they have been getting into a tanning bed for as long as I can remember! But one of them bought a bed about a year ago and she doesnt use the goggles, so im guessing she never used them the years before either. Her son (20 years old) gets in the tanning bed too and he uses nothing! No goggles, no lotion and gets in it for 20 minutes at a time.

I have a question about the goggles, how is that area gonna tan? I dont wanna look like I gotta mask on...LOL

TanPimp, cool you like Great White!...LOL I take allot of crap from people my age for liking those kinds of bands...LOL

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions!

[Anya1976]

to get less of a white area around your eyes find goggles that completely cover your eye but aren't too big. if u skooch them around a bit during the session (never lifting them up so light can get in) it will reduce racoon eyes as well. i love the ultra sun globes. they are smaller than most goggles and some people can't use them cus they fall off their face (i know i had a few problems with them at first but now they are great) sun sets are great too (made by cal tan) but if u are really worried about white around the eyes yourbest bet is to use viewkeepers or winkease (both made by eye pro) they stick to your eyes so u can flip over and all that without them falling off and u can make them fit as close to your eye as possible.

[Anya1976]

oh yea welcome to the board my name is angela and i am your cruise director

[Tpsyduck]

Hey Jason, Welcome to the board, Sit back, and enjoy Have fun, all of us do
Well, you've gotten great advice, start slow, don't rush to tan, YOu'll get there, don't worry! MOISTURIZE, MOISTURIZE, MOISTURIZE!!! Always remember to use a lotion before, during and after showering or tanning, or both if you'd like!
Good lotions.... Fiesta Sun 2 Twisted (thans starry ), Brown Envy by Synergy, Bronzed pepper also by Fiesta sun, John Abate Platinum Zero Tingle Free (if you'd like a good cooling lotion, which is always nice in a hot bed)
After Tan Moisturizers....Fully Loaded by Fiesta Sun (Another good one starry, thanks ) and personally my favorite and only 1 I use, Total Immursion by California tan, Angel by Designer Skin (the smell is Strong, and this isn't my fav lotion, but alot of others on the site love it, though I loved what it did for my skin, a little greasy though)
Well, that's all I could add, so Enjoy, Be careful and go slow on tanning, DEFINITELY wear Eye Goggles and please tell your sister to do the same, trust me, I didn't for years and wish I did, and don't forget to MOISTURIZE! A good, Healthy tan goes hand in hand with GOOD, HEALTHY, MOISTURIZED SKIN Oh, and Drinking alot of water could definitley do you and your skin alot of good too HAPPY TANNING!!