Itty Kitty
06-16-2002, 07:01 PM
Hi Sinnrah (and anyone else who's interested),
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but tanning is one of the MOST dangerous things you can do for your health. I KNOW because when I was 17 (I'm 29 now) I went to the dermatologist for the first time and he was horrified to see how many moles I had (have) that looked pre-cancerous. I told him I loved to suntan and he gave me the usual lecture and promptly dug out about 5 scary moles--leaving horrible scars. When I asked him if it was okay to get a little tan once in a while he said, "That's like asking me if one bullet to the head is better than 10!" Yikes. I heard the message loud and clear. Now I am paying the price for the gorgeous tan days of my youth. Every time I go to the dermatologist now, she has to usually remove 2-3 moles that have changed. She is overwhelmed by the amount of skin cancer she is seeing in people my age. Business is booming for her, but she's not happy about it. Now I am white with tons of scars all over my back and legs. I learned the hard way about tanning. I must say tanning is one of the cruel tricks of nature. It looks beautiful and makes you look healthy, but the price to pay for it is way too high--not to mention it gives you wrinkles. Now I wear spf 30 on my face and body everyday and wear a hat and stay out of the sun as much as possible. This is tough because I live in Southern California! :( My advice is to either live with being white or get some fake stuff. Some of them look realistic-not orange. There are a lot of good ones mentioned on this site and the skin, hair, and nails one.
Sorry to lecture, but I feel it is my responsibility to let as many people know how dangerous tanning really is. Not many people know that melanoma (the worst kind of skin cancer) is the leading cause of death for women in their 20's and 30's.
Thanks for listening.
Be well,
Kitty
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/gabby.gif
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but tanning is one of the MOST dangerous things you can do for your health. I KNOW because when I was 17 (I'm 29 now) I went to the dermatologist for the first time and he was horrified to see how many moles I had (have) that looked pre-cancerous. I told him I loved to suntan and he gave me the usual lecture and promptly dug out about 5 scary moles--leaving horrible scars. When I asked him if it was okay to get a little tan once in a while he said, "That's like asking me if one bullet to the head is better than 10!" Yikes. I heard the message loud and clear. Now I am paying the price for the gorgeous tan days of my youth. Every time I go to the dermatologist now, she has to usually remove 2-3 moles that have changed. She is overwhelmed by the amount of skin cancer she is seeing in people my age. Business is booming for her, but she's not happy about it. Now I am white with tons of scars all over my back and legs. I learned the hard way about tanning. I must say tanning is one of the cruel tricks of nature. It looks beautiful and makes you look healthy, but the price to pay for it is way too high--not to mention it gives you wrinkles. Now I wear spf 30 on my face and body everyday and wear a hat and stay out of the sun as much as possible. This is tough because I live in Southern California! :( My advice is to either live with being white or get some fake stuff. Some of them look realistic-not orange. There are a lot of good ones mentioned on this site and the skin, hair, and nails one.
Sorry to lecture, but I feel it is my responsibility to let as many people know how dangerous tanning really is. Not many people know that melanoma (the worst kind of skin cancer) is the leading cause of death for women in their 20's and 30's.
Thanks for listening.
Be well,
Kitty
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/gabby.gif
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deb0033
06-16-2002, 09:21 PM
Thanks Kitty! I sometimes want to go to the tanning bed (all my friends go) but I always talk myself out of it. I use tanning creams instead (even though it's such a pain. ) We go on vacation to the beach for a week every year. After reading your post, I think I am going to stock up on my sunscreen!
Thanks for sharing your story!
Thanks for sharing your story!
LisaL
06-17-2002, 07:00 PM
Kitty, YOu seem like an expert here. Anyway, I have been seriously considering leaving the tanning beds and going to the "tan in a bottle". What brand(s) would you recommend and what to steer clear of? I have never tried this method before and I would surely hate to mess up....
LisaL
LisaL
Itty Kitty
06-18-2002, 02:39 AM
Dear LisaL,
Honestly, I'm not a big fan of self-tanners because they are too time-consuming, and if you don't keep it up and apply it every other day or so it fades in blotches and also gets on your sheets. (It doesn't stain, though.) For a few summers I used Neutrogena foaming deep tan just on my legs and it looked great--very real--but it was just too much trouble, so I stopped. Also, it's hard to make it look natural around your knees and feet because the skin absorbs differently there. However, some people swear by them (stars too!) and you can even get it professionally done at some places. There is a place in L.A. called Hollywood Tan that sprays it on for you I think. I've just decided to stay white for now. Pale is coming back in style anyway because of all the skin cancer scares.
I'm not a self-tanning expert so I really suggest looking around this site and the skin,hair,and nails section to find out more. There are some great posts about this subject on both sites.
I'm glad to hear you are considering staying away from the tanning beds. :)
Take care,
Kitty
Honestly, I'm not a big fan of self-tanners because they are too time-consuming, and if you don't keep it up and apply it every other day or so it fades in blotches and also gets on your sheets. (It doesn't stain, though.) For a few summers I used Neutrogena foaming deep tan just on my legs and it looked great--very real--but it was just too much trouble, so I stopped. Also, it's hard to make it look natural around your knees and feet because the skin absorbs differently there. However, some people swear by them (stars too!) and you can even get it professionally done at some places. There is a place in L.A. called Hollywood Tan that sprays it on for you I think. I've just decided to stay white for now. Pale is coming back in style anyway because of all the skin cancer scares.
I'm not a self-tanning expert so I really suggest looking around this site and the skin,hair,and nails section to find out more. There are some great posts about this subject on both sites.
I'm glad to hear you are considering staying away from the tanning beds. :)
Take care,
Kitty
Sinnrah
06-19-2002, 10:34 AM
Well,
Thanks for the info. But I am not a sun worshipper. I did not tan a lot when I was younger. I just started tanning. And i already had moles. I like the sun. It makes me feel better. So I am going to continue to tan. I do not lay out there longer than an hour. And I have not been to the tanning beds in over two weeks.
Sinnrah
Thanks for the info. But I am not a sun worshipper. I did not tan a lot when I was younger. I just started tanning. And i already had moles. I like the sun. It makes me feel better. So I am going to continue to tan. I do not lay out there longer than an hour. And I have not been to the tanning beds in over two weeks.
Sinnrah
gracieathome
06-19-2002, 01:06 PM
Thank you kitty for sharing. I too had a pre cancerous mole removed from my face and it left a scar. I have been touting the dangers of tanning for years. Unfortunately there are some people out there who still tan for vanitys sake. All I can say is like anything else you have to make your own choices and live with the consequences. I gave up trying to help people.
Sinnrah
06-19-2002, 05:38 PM
Well, I dont tan for vanitys sake. I do it like once a week...and I dont think that is too much. And I am really sorry for everyone who has had problems with skin cancer.
But dont quit trying to help people just because some of us choose to still tan. I mean, people dont quit advertising about how tobacco kills do they? And people still smoke even though they know it is bad for them. I used to be one of those people. And if the only thing I do is lay out once a week then I dont see the harm in that. I do,however, see the harm in "OVEREXPOSURE TO SUN".
Sinnrah(To Each Their Own) :)
But dont quit trying to help people just because some of us choose to still tan. I mean, people dont quit advertising about how tobacco kills do they? And people still smoke even though they know it is bad for them. I used to be one of those people. And if the only thing I do is lay out once a week then I dont see the harm in that. I do,however, see the harm in "OVEREXPOSURE TO SUN".
Sinnrah(To Each Their Own) :)
erikaw
04-22-2004, 04:54 PM
Just want to put my 2 cents in and say hi to Kitti! I too tanned when I was younger and when I was 21 (24 now) I had melanoma removed...I have many scars now and regret my tanning days EVERYDAY! I just want to tell everyne that even though I can't tan the "real" way no one would ever know I use self tanners....Just experiment with a bunch-it took me about 5 brands till I found one that worked for my skin. I use Bath and Body Works! Love it!
ANyway jsut wanted to say hi, and PLEASE DON'T TAN!!!
ANyway jsut wanted to say hi, and PLEASE DON'T TAN!!!
Blue-eyedBelle
04-22-2004, 06:56 PM
Honestly, I'm not a big fan of self-tanners because they are too time-consuming, and if you don't keep it up and apply it every other day or so it fades in blotches and also gets on your sheets.
Actually, I've been using self-tanners for years & it doesn't have to be a time-consuming process. What CAN be time-consuming is finding the right product for your skin & your lifestyle. I can go 5-7 days between applications in the winter (when I want to have a lighter tan) and 3-4 days in the summer, when I have a medium tan.
I use an airbrush tanning solution (which was made to go in a compressor) - but I put it in a spray bottle & apply that way - after spraying, I blend a little with a velour puff. I can do a total body application in 5-7 minutes and be completely dry in another 2 minutes. The color is very realistic & even the colorguide is a nice color. There is almost no DHA smell detectable.
You can by-pass the stained sheets by getting some dark colored sheets (I use navy blue) when you ST. :)
You offer some very good advice - sun damage is bad. I've already taught my dd to use an SPF 15 everyday on her face - a 30 if she'll be outside for a prolonged period. She uses it daily, without fail.
Actually, I've been using self-tanners for years & it doesn't have to be a time-consuming process. What CAN be time-consuming is finding the right product for your skin & your lifestyle. I can go 5-7 days between applications in the winter (when I want to have a lighter tan) and 3-4 days in the summer, when I have a medium tan.
I use an airbrush tanning solution (which was made to go in a compressor) - but I put it in a spray bottle & apply that way - after spraying, I blend a little with a velour puff. I can do a total body application in 5-7 minutes and be completely dry in another 2 minutes. The color is very realistic & even the colorguide is a nice color. There is almost no DHA smell detectable.
You can by-pass the stained sheets by getting some dark colored sheets (I use navy blue) when you ST. :)
You offer some very good advice - sun damage is bad. I've already taught my dd to use an SPF 15 everyday on her face - a 30 if she'll be outside for a prolonged period. She uses it daily, without fail.
erikaw
04-23-2004, 11:14 AM
Blue-eyed Belle,
Where do you get the airbrush tanning solution? I've thought of doing it that way but can't find it anywhere!!!???
Erika
Where do you get the airbrush tanning solution? I've thought of doing it that way but can't find it anywhere!!!???
Erika
Blue-eyedBelle
04-23-2004, 12:08 PM
As far as I know, erikaw, you can only get it online. I use Jamaica Me Tan - you could search for that along with airbrush tanning supplies. It's the best!
erikaw
04-23-2004, 12:42 PM
Thanks so much! I will try that!!:) Do you use the 10% or the 12% or the Jamaican nights????
mouse62
04-23-2004, 03:48 PM
I like Sally Hansen's Spray-on pantyhose. You don't have to worry about tanning your legs in summer, nor wearing anything on them. I HATE pantyhose and Knee-hi's. Just a thought for those of us who feel compelled to have some color on our legs.
Blue-eyedBelle
04-23-2004, 05:33 PM
I like Sally Hansen's Spray-on pantyhose.
I've tried that, too. I like it for touch-ups of my fake tan. I haven't tried it all over my legs (I don't know if I would like that), but I will say that it really stayed on my feet until I washed it off with soap & water - water alone doesn't remove it - which is a good thing. :)
I've tried that, too. I like it for touch-ups of my fake tan. I haven't tried it all over my legs (I don't know if I would like that), but I will say that it really stayed on my feet until I washed it off with soap & water - water alone doesn't remove it - which is a good thing. :)