Tanning Bed Question

[lcarlson90]

So my 10 year reunion is coming up in a month and I would like to have a nice tan instead of my pale white skin. I know that mystic tan is an option but I am afraid it will not look natural, streak etc.

My question is...How bad is it really if you only go to a tanning salon for a month? I know they have these premium beds now that are supposed to be better for your skin and you only have to go for 12 minutes 2 times per week.

I want to have a nice tan but not at the expense of getting skin cancer. Does anyone know of any research on the effects of using tanning bed just short term?

TIA

[Kristy]

Any kind of exposure to sun lamps is going to cause some kind of damage. Going for a month certainly won't land you with cancer the next day, but it will always cause some damage.

Being a fellow pale gal, I do have to offer some advice. A month usually isn't enough to get a decent tan, at least for me anyway. You'll burn right away and will probably stay that red for a week, if not more if you keep on going. You'd have to be pretty vigilant, and probably go every other day to get a good base. With pale skin you have to go slowly and build it up. I start at 5 minutes and increase a minute every week or so.

Have you considered taking the Mystic Tan for a trial run? I did it for my wedding and a few times before that, and it gave me really great, natural color. I'd do it every week if I had the extra cash. Airbrush tanning is another option, it's pretty much guarenteed streak free.

[thedoorchick]

Go for the Mystic. Or better yet, the airbrush.

[Rose]

I also love Mystic. I wish it was more affordable so I could do it more often. After the the first couple times I learned the tricks I get a really even, nice tan that still looks natural.

[firedancr41]

if you are that concerned -- do Mystic. if you watch the video and do what it says, you won't have nay streaks at all! i have never had streaks -- ever.

only 1 time, after many sessions, i had dryness on my ankles and elbows that looked silly -- but it was my fault for not exfoliating.

but, if you choose the tanning bed, 1 month is not going to hurt you

[IrishMeg]

Where would someone go to do Mystic Tan? At a regular tanning place? I've looked in the yellow pages but haven't found anything. Is there a big difference in price?

[Kristy]

Where would someone go to do Mystic Tan? At a regular tanning place? I've looked in the yellow pages but haven't found anything. Is there a big difference in price?

Yep, pretty much any tanning salon will have Mystic nowadays. There's also another version called Magic Tan, which is pretty much the same thing but they spray you from 4 sides instead of 2. A spa/salon might have it as well.

[mb1197]

I just did the Mystic Tan before going on vacation. It cost me $25 and looked very natural. I've also been air-brushed and I liked that as well. If you don't want to do either of those then you can pick up a bottle of the Dove Energizing Glow with subtle self-tanner for fair skin. I use it and love it. It's a daily moisturizer that you can use like a normal moisturizer. It doesn't get on your clothes and I've found that the smell is way less offensive than other self-tanners. Also, I've never had a problem with any streaking since I've been using it - and it's much less expensive than anything else!!

[thedoorchick]

Palm Beach Tan (a chain, not sure how prevalant they are outside of TX) has Mystic, in fact they claim to have invented it.

It's $20 per session or 3 for $51, at least around here.

[mb1197]

One more comment on the Mystic Tan, although I liked the end result I HATED the experience! I got blasted in the booth (even though I knew it was coming) and choked during the entire session. I couldn't wait to get out.

[Kristy]

One more comment on the Mystic Tan, although I liked the end result I HATED the experience! I got blasted in the booth (even though I knew it was coming) and choked during the entire session. I couldn't wait to get out.

My sister (who is the self-proclaimed tanning queen lol) told me to start with my back to the jets first so I could figure out how long I needed to hold my breath, or when to breath in/out. It still gets you by surprise that first time, though!

[Smilin13]

If you have very pale skin, DO NOT go in a tanning booth for 12 minutes for your first time. You will burn.

I'm fair skinned and while I do tan, I burn easily.

I have been going to a tanning booth for almost a month now.

I started out at 5 minutes, every 3rd day (it took that long for my skin to not look red anymore) for about a week, then moved up to every other day for 5 minutes for an additional week. Last week I started going in the booth 7 minutes every other day. My skin still turns red, but it fades quickly.

I think tanning booths are more of a slow tanning process....for those of us who don't easily tan.

I had considered doing the Mystic tan, but decided on the actually tanning booth, so I could create that base tan, and not fry in the Caribbean next month.

If you want to try the Mystic Tan route...try it out before your event. I think they say the tan only lasts about 7 days. To see if you like it.

Good luck.

:)

[mb1197]

My sister (who is the self-proclaimed tanning queen lol) told me to start with my back to the jets first so I could figure out how long I needed to hold my breath, or when to breath in/out. It still gets you by surprise that first time, though!
That's a really good idea. I wish I had thought of that!