New tanner - please help me!

[needatan]

Hi,

I see that this board is new, so I hope someone can help me. I am desperate.

I want to have a nice tan (I have *no* color right now) by June 1st. I have an important business meeting & want to look my best. I have never been big on tanning, I've only tried a bed once, for a few sessions - but it made me so da*n itchy I gave up. I wish someone could just give me a schedule - tell me what lotion to use, if I should layout in a bed or outside (or both), how often, etc.

I am really fair right now, but I know with the right tools and time, I can have a nice tan. Is 1 month enough time to even accomplish anything? I'll be aggressive! Just please tell me what I need to do.

Thanks!!
KC

[Tamar]

I am a salon owner and if you were standing before me, I would have you fill out a skin typing form so I would know what time to start you at, then gradually increase your exposure time by two minute increments. It is hard to say how long it would take without having certain info, but it is wise that you are getting started now.

A few basic questions to help:
Natural hair color?
Eye color?
Genetic heritage (both sides)?
Natural skin tone? (from white to brown, somewhere in between)?
Dry, oily, combination skin?

The itching is common for beginners, dry skin is usually the culprit (usually right after the winter months). Exfoliate with a liquid soap and glove once every 7 to 10 days, moisturize damp skin, use a quality indoor lotion, and drink lots of water.

Go to Ask the Pros and you'll find several salon owners ready to help you!

[PanAnna]

How about one of the spray tans before your big meeting? Would that type of thing work for you? I haven't ever tried this but have heard a lot of people say they like it. Anybody else have any thoughts on this?

[njchica]

Tamar hit the nail on the head with the itching thing.... I tanned for years without using indoor tanning lotion and without realizing how important it is to moisturize morning, night, and in between. Once I caught the clue and began taking care of my skin, my tan improved dramatically.

[needatan]

Thank you so much for your suggestions. I will get started right away & be sure to use good lotions (maybe throw in a little spray tanner too to darken it a little, thx!). I'm so glad I found this board! Just from reading some of the other threads, I've already learned a lot. Happy tanning

[Anya1976]

Quote:
On 2003-05-03 05:02, needatan wrote:
Hi,

I see that this board is new, so I hope someone can help me. I am desperate.

I want to have a nice tan (I have *no* color right now) by June 1st. I have an important business meeting & want to look my best. I have never been big on tanning, I've only tried a bed once, for a few sessions - but it made me so da*n itchy I gave up. I wish someone could just give me a schedule - tell me what lotion to use, if I should layout in a bed or outside (or both), how often, etc.

I am really fair right now, but I know with the right tools and time, I can have a nice tan. Is 1 month enough time to even accomplish anything? I'll be aggressive! Just please tell me what I need to do.

Thanks!!
KC


you actually should probably have started tanning a month ago to get a pretty dark tan by june.

[Tamar]

Unless he/she is a low skin type 2, June should be fine if committed to going every other day for a while. I do this for a living, yes, but my customers are also my best advertisement. Dry, leathery, overexposed skin is not what I want on the streets speaking for me! My daughter and I got into this business more for educational purposes. She tanned three (3) years without eyewear and now has night vision loss. So, no, not here to get rich by any means.

Glad to help, that is what I am here for. Look soon for a skin typing form on this board, probably in the Ask the Pros forum. I have talked to the powers-that-be to help us help you.

I tell most of my customers (especially the ones that "don't know any better") that even if they end up at another salon later, I want them to know THEIR skin and feel empowered to make the right choices rather than to be at the mercy of any old Josephine behind the counter.

[Anya1976]

tamar how about this skin typing quiz? http://www.naatso.org/frameset_survey.htm

[alltan01]

Hi,

Looks like everyone covered all the bases! If your still having trouble with that itchy feeling, try using a stand up tanning booth!

Good Luck,
Matt

[needatan]

Thanks for this survey - I scored 23, or skin type 3A. Based on this info, does anyone have more suggestions for me? Certain lotions I should use, should I tan both indoors and out? How long would you recommend my sessions be to start? Thx again!

[PJ]

KC you should also consider using supplements (like Tyrosine, Copper, Vitamin E, etc.) to help your body produce more Melanin. You can slap on all of the lotion you want but if you do not have enough Tyrosine and the other minerals used during melanin production, you will not tan properly.

PJ[ This Message was edited by: PJ on 2003-05-08 01:27 ]

[Strnghrt]

Anya thanks for that link. I've never been skin typed before so I didn't know. Only thing is it's not completely accurate because I am a heinz57, so I used the closest one since you have only 1 choice per parent. Anyway I scored a 45 with skin type of 4.

[Anya1976]

they didn't skin type you at your salon?

[Anya1976]

from that test i am a 4 too... i wonder if there is another one out there besides the one i linked... cus to me this doesn't sound right... i should go to the saloni tan at and see if they have the copy of my agreement with my type on there

[Strnghrt]

Nope, salons here don't do that sort of thing, they say how long do you want, stand up or bed, and this is how much it costs.

[Anya1976]

wow all salons are like that?

[Laurel]

I was type 3A also...kinda suprised my.

[blondie]

I was a 3A. surprised by the results, also.

[meltdbutta]

I scored a 58...
So I am a type 4 by that skin typing test....
And i think I am less than a 4 though, so, hmmmmmm...maybe this test is giving people 'higher UV tolerances' ???

melty

[scout]

Type 3B here... My first salon was really through, but didn't give me a number. Now if your new they just ask if you have tanned before and trust your judgment!