Help! Clueless about tanning!

[tenkeyallie]

I am going to Florida in about 3 weeks and my whole body is a ghostly shade of white. I tan fairly well, but I am on the pale side (not Conan O'Brien pale). My face is particularly sensitive and burns somewhat easily. I thought about trying a spray tan, but i really don't want to wear sunscreen while I'm in Florida. So, I am going to try tanning the traditional way.

So, what do I do? How do I know how long I should tan for? My biggest fear is burning. Also, how long will it take me to get good color? How often should I tan? Should I do anything to my skin beforehand?

Sorry about all of the questions...I truly am clueless!

Thanks,
Allison

[CincyFan]

Hi Allison,

Welcome to iamtan! I'm not an expert but here's what my opinion...

If you haven't already picked out a salon, I would call a few and ask if they are Smart Tan certified. Also, I would ask if they allow a first time tanner to have a free tan. If not, I would only buy 1 session to see if you like the place before buying a package. Any certified, reputable salon that you go to will figure out your skin type and help you determine a good tanning time table. From my own experience and reading about others, you should be able to acheive a base tan in 5-9 sessions, depending on your skin type. I've noticed that there is a debate over whether to tan every day when you are just starting out, so I would do some reading, ask your salon, and make your own decision. Personally, I go every other day. It gives your skin a chance to rest. As far as skin prep goes, I would exfoliate your skin prior to your first tanning session, but not less than an hour before. And then, exfoliate your skin on a weekly basis to help shed excess skin. But, they key factor is to use a good indoor tanning lotion and to moisturize, preferably with a moisturizer for tanners. There is a ton of good advice about lotions, moisturizers and skin care on this board. If you do a search you can find answers to specific questions much quicker. I hope I helped some and good luck to you. Let me know how it goes for ya.

Michelle

[ladyboss]

Excellent Advice, the salon you choose should be able to skin type you and determine how long you should tan for. Start out slowly and you won't burn. Moisturizing is key to a good healthy tan. Welcome to iamtan

[Bonnie]

Welcome too! I'll only add that you shouldn't tan without sunscreen in Florida with your skin type, especially without a dark base tan. Definitely bring an SPF 15 and maybe something lower but don't wreck your vacation or your skin. You won't get dark enough in three weeks to take that kind of risk.

[tanningemporium]

You can go to salon finder at Smarttan.com and you should find a smart salon close by. Good Luck.

[Tpsyduck]

Welocme to Iamtan, I hope you enjoy the board
Well, it looks like you've gotten Great advice her, Kudos to the Ladies , so all I can add to this is to enjoy tanning, tan in moderation, Moisturize regularly, and drinking water will also help hydrate your skin
WELCOME!!

[PJ]

If I read your post correctly you are planning to tan outside and not in a salon...if that is the case I certainly recommend that you use suncreen products. Maybe start with a 15 spf and stay out just long enough to get the tanning process going (30-45 minutes). Then gradually increase the exposure time. As you see your skin get darker then you can reduce the spf to 8, and then even 4. For your face you need to compensate for its propensity to burn more easily by using a higher spf. As far as whether to tan everyday, I'd say initially no, given you present lack of a base tan. You must give your body the chance to "catch up" to being in a high UVR environment. Once you have enough melanin to prevent a sunburn then you can consider tanning daily, but even so the key is to control exposure time. And last but certainly not least you need to moisturize and hydrate properly!

Where in Florida are you going to? I'm in Miami.

PJ

[Val]

Welcome to I am tan! Everyone has given you great advice. Find a good salon. Have them skin type you. Get a good lotion. Dont tan more often then every other day & use a good moisturizer!

[PinkPanther]

I'm definitely with Val on this one, make sure you shop around at your salons locally, find a place with GOOD, KNOWLEDGEABLE staff! And start small, believe you me, burns are the worst. 8 mins may not seem like a lot, but you'll be grateful for taking it easy. Oh yeah, and MOISTURE MOISTURE MOISTURE.

[tenkeyallie]

Hi everyone! Thanks for all of the advice! I have to say that after reading the very important thread about goggles, I might be leaning more towards the spray tan again. I would gladly wear goggles, but I am worried about the raccoon-eye effect. I understand that a bronzer could help with this, but that would be just another product that I have to buy. I have enough trouble finding a concealer that covers my undereye circles. I don't know - I guess I'm just looking for a quick fix. I really only need to be tan for my trip. By the way, PJ, I'm going to Orlando! Epcot, Pleasure Island, etc!

Thanks again everyone

Allison

[Anya1976]

allison,
u can get smaller goggles. the ultra sun globes are pretty small. or go with the disposible eyewear winkease or viewkeepers. i move my goggles around while tanning so it minimizes the the white. you should always wear eye protection even while tanning outside. i always use my eyewear while tanning inside or out.

[Anya1976]

and if u do go the sunless route and do the spray tan, it will NOT protect you from the sun remember to bring LOTS of sunscreen spf 30 or higher

[tan-lyn]

Well, everyone is different, but I never got racoon eyes, until the one time I burned. And they faded in a couple weeks. So just be super careful not to burn, and racoon eyes are unlikely to be a problem.

[Sc0tt]

For the short amount of time you will be tanning in the beds, racoon eyes really won't be a problem. and if they are, go to Drug Mart, get any $5 sunless tanner and close your eyes and rub it in the area. then wash your hands!
If you go the route of the mystic, as Anya said, you'll be starting your tan from scratch and you have a higher possiblily of getting burnt, therefore you won't get very tan. You should atleast get a base-med. tan in a bed before your trip - then on your trip you could get a verrry dark tan!

[white2dark]

I know that where I tan they are ver helpful in getting you started. Maybe you should go to a salon where they are very helpful. Maybe ask around,.

[tenkeyallie]

Thanks again everyone. I am actually on my way to the tanning salon right now. I decided to just do the regular tanning and be really careful. Hopefully I can get some kind of color in three weeks. Wish me luck!

[BrownJen]

Quote:
On 2003-10-29 11:29, tenkeyallie wrote:
Thanks again everyone. I am actually on my way to the tanning salon right now. I decided to just do the regular tanning and be really careful. Hopefully I can get some kind of color in three weeks. Wish me luck!

Let us know how it went!!