STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

bostongal · BCBG

Sunscreen in tanning booth?

Seashells · Dooney & Bourke

I have the same issues with tanning booths. I have been in tanning booths before, but I am now against it, because I see all the damage it did to my skin.

Here is my best advice:

Get a spray on sunless tan before you go. I know that you want to be bronze, and kind of "train" your skin to not burn, but you should wear 30spf when you are down there anyway. Because no matter what you are going to burn (if your skin is like mine). I assume you are from Boston, and your skin won't be used to that sun no matter what you do.

And the sunscreen would be the same as putting a towel over your face in the booth. So if you want to tan, just put a towel over your face and sunless tan your face to even out!

Have fun on your trip!

JoceyBaby23 · Gucci

I would NOT use sunscreen in the tanning booth. You would just be wasting your money! When you get to the tanning salon, I would just buy a sample pack of one of their self tanning/beginner lotions.. which will prevent damage (a little) and since tanning booths are foreign to you.. Do not stay in too long! That's how the burn gets ya!

Rica · Kenneth Cole

Hmm, when I tanned, I usually just put a towel over my face. To even me out, I used a shade darker make up and powder bronzer on my face.

I'm not sure how tan you're going to get in two weeks. It takes about two weeks to build up to the normal 10 or 20 minute time frame. And being a beginner, you'll probably burn the first few times. If I were you, I'd talk to the salon rep about your options. Different places have different beds for different needs so maybe there's a particular one s/he can set you up on.

I don't think a few weeks of tanning will make you wrinkly or give you cancer. Just don't make a habit of it

Have you considered Mystic Tan?

-- Edited by Rica at 16:19, 2006-01-13

joy0302 · Kate Spade

Most tanning beds have a different light for your face than the ones that are for your body. I usually would just leave the light on for my face for about 5 minutes and then turn it off the rest of the time. I agree with seashells though about the damage they cause. I stopped going after seeing freckles and lines that I never had when tanning outside. But if you are just going to go a few times before your trip you should be fine.

Have a great time on your trips!

Elle · Hermes

I would absolutely wear sunscreen in a tanning booth (which, unlike sunblock, doesn't completely block the rays and still allows you to tan).

FWIW, I have olive toned skin that tans very easily and rarely burns. The first and by far worst sunburn I ever had was from spending 5 minutes in tanning bed , sans sunscreen. If you're very pale, I'd wear SPF 20 or so the first couple times, and then maybe 15 thereafter.

bostongal · BCBG

Thanks for all your advice! Great info. I did speak with the salon rep, and over the next two weeks I am going no more than once every other day. We started me at only 5 minutes on the lowest setting, and I am gradually going up one minute each time. I'm being very careful not to get burned - I have olive skin and the only place I tend to burn is my nose and cheeks at the beginning of summer if I'm not careful. So I think I will just do the towel over my head thing for the last few minutes of each session. Thanks again!