Tanning discussion

[Fresh]

Sup PuAs.

Need some tanning advice from those of you who have done it. I've always been a pretty pale dude (when I wear shorts, people wince at my glow-in-the-dark legs), but am otherwise not too hard on the eyes. I'm looking to get a tan sometimes soon, but I wanted to avoid some of the horror stories I've heard about crappy spray on tans and stuff like that.

1) What should I look for in a tan for a near albino like myself?
2) How much should it cost for a tan that isn't shitty
3) How long should it probably take to develop a moderate tan (number of sessions, approximate duration of sessions)

Oh, and for those of you who would suggest just going out and trying for a natural tan... it's never worked for me. I just burn, or see no effects.

[Fresh]

Bump for more views.

[CrimsonKing]

I'm in the exact same boat. I'm fairly pale and I mostly burn. I did get some DECENT sun last summer, but I actually didn't like the way I looked. To me, my face looked dirty, like I needed to wash more. I personally dress more for the gothic style anyway, so being pale is fairly normal for that niche.

From what I've heard, go to a tanning salon. I've heard that they're not too good for your health with long-term exposure, but salons will appearantly get the best results over spray-on tans and the like. But that's all I know.

[Vernon]

I used to get my tan through an airbrush...I know that it sounds counter-intuitive, but it works...if the artist is any good, they can actually accentuate some of your musculature by 'shadowing' some key areas (abs, triceps, etc.)...Google it for a location in your area...prices will vary (I paid $20 plus a good tip)...it will last for about 5 days...BUT, no chlorine, as it strips the tanning solution from your skin faster than battery acid will...

[Blunt]

Well, you know, you could just, you know, GO OUTSIDE.

;)

[Fresh]

Well, you know, you could just, you know, GO OUTSIDE.

;)


Ahhh, you sunuvvabitch. I knew this post would one day come.

*Shakes fist*

The searing orb! IT BURNSSSSS USSSS!

[-Silver-]

Blunt clearly didn't read your first post, don't worry :P

If you do end up going to a tanning salon, let us know how it goes. I've always toyed with the idea myself, but I can get a tan fairly easy during the summer. It's just the few months before summer that annoy me. You get the occasional boiling hot day where shorts are a must, but you've lost the tan over winter... bane of my life.

Happy tanning!

-Silver-

[Deft9]

I go tanning about once a week right now. But I think that tanning can have some negative consequences long-term.

On The Pickup Artist the other night they used "bronzer." The only fake tan I have tried was neutragena's spray on tan, which smelled horrible, was blotchy, and wasn't a good color. Does anyone have any recommendations for bronzer?

[Keys]

I have been off and on tanning for like 7 years. I have never found bronzers etc. to be worth it as you can pull off the orange tinge and that is terrible. Each product interacts with your melatonin (skin pigment) differently so it's test and see, which if you have the time is ok. If you don't tan easy start off on low bed for few mins but go daily. Most places will have specials like 20 free sessions, just rotate for awhile and you can get a free tan for awhile, once you get a base two times a week should do it. Optimizers aren't bad if you eventually want the bronze look.

Sidenote: If you are in the areas that get a real winter, a nice deep tan is a definite peacock. No one needs to know it's a fake and bake unless you plan on letting em see ya naked, then you might need to explain the weird lines.

Sidenote #2: Wear socks. Burns on the cash and prizes suck.

[CoolHand]

I read all the posts and here is mine.

Right out of highschool I went to a tanning salon bought some packages and started going. It worked well.

I have also done the spray on tan and that was not a good deal, maybe it was the place I went but I don't think I would do it again unless I have no other alternative.

I have also done natural sun tanning with mixed results, if I was disciplined using a carrot based lotion(which I need to find again) and regimented the reapplication I had good results. If I slacked off I would burn.

A couple of years ago I went to the dermo and he didn't like two marks on my back and removed them. They came up negative but it scared the crap out of me, thats when I tried the spray tan and was more aware of not getting burned. Unfortunetly the result is one pasty white boy that lives in South FLA.

So I am planning on talking to the Doc and seeing what my options are, but I wanted to read and see if anybody has had any luck with other methods.

Thanks

-A

[ReallyPatheticFatSlob]

I'm afraid of turning into a homosexual if i stay in the tanning bed for too long. Is that a side affect?

[CoolHand]

Went to the store picked up some Neutrogena Summer Glow Moisturizer anybody have any luck with this type of product?

[Deft9]

Somewhere I read that using tinted moisturizer works well.

I just bought Jergen's natural glow face at someone's recommendation, but I haven't tried it yet. They also make a body lotion.

I also read that L'oreal sublime bronze "self-tanning gelee" deep is good.
Also fuctis makes a tinted moisturizer. These are just some recommendations that I read on other forums.

These products are usually found in the grocery store or a pharmacy. I don't know where you'd get high-end products other than online.

I don't recommend natural tanning because it takes WAY too long. If you're light skinned, 7-8 minutes in a tanning bed once a week is enough to give you some healthy color.

[Couture]

I did Mystic Tan a couple years ago. When I go back to the states I am going to do it again... I like it because you don't burn your ass and you get it instantly.

I think I have been watching Sunset Tan on E! too much. The olly girls are very hott. Why are all girls that work at tanning salons hott?

http://images.eonline.com/eol_images/Entire_Site/20070711/293.molly.holly.071107.jpg

[TechnoJunky]

I live in a rural area and have to spent alot of time outside. I used to have almost entirely red hair, and I'm usually super pale with lots of freckles. This summer has made my hair almost entirely blond and the freckles are camo'd by how dark i've gotten. The key for me is to NOT USE sunblock all the time. even though my grandfather is like 3/4 cherokee, my only indian inheritance is being lactose intolerant, so the ONLY way i can get any color is to BURN first. i just spend a few hours getting burnt, and then put sunblock on once i've had enough. the other thing i pay careful attention to is keeping the burnt areas moisturized, because skin that peels takes color with it. i dont use toners or any of that other stuff, just sun, time, spf 45, and moisturizer.

another fringe benefit to this that i havent seen mentioned is the increased levels of zinc that come from tanning. zinc of course is closely related to testosterone and tissue rebuilding, look for posts from ijjjji on the mASF lifestyle section. the guy may be extreme, but the ideas and results can be doable by more normal individuals like ourselves.

[D-Nice]

I, personally, do not wish to go to a fake n' bake tanning salon. Though, I am of olive complexion thanks ot my grandfather being Mexican indian and all. So, when i lay outside to tan i get pretty dark and after a few times i can use an SPF 4 and stay out all day. During the summer months i go to a clothing optional resort and get an all over tan, that way i don't have to worry about odd tan lines or a white butt.

I know it can be difficult for people that are pasty white to get even the slightest hint of a tan. All i can say is stick with it, follow what some of these other guys are doing and don't give up. All the hard work will pay off in the end.

Dennis

[Couture]

Though, I am of olive complexion thanks ot my grandfather being Mexican indian and all. So, when i lay outside to tan i get pretty dark and after a few times i can use an SPF 4 and stay out all day.

You've got it made then - I envy you.

I'm afraid of turning into a homosexual if i stay in the tanning bed for too long. Is that a side affect?

Who ever thed thith thide effect was bad, thilly?? teehee

[Doctor]

Well Fresh, looks like no one has really answered your question! I would suggest going once or twice and just pay for the tans individually, don't buy a package until you see if you like it. Go for about 10 minutes you first time in the lowest pressure bed they have, if they have different levels, some places do and some don't. If you start to feel hot and sweaty before your ten minutes are up, just get out a little early so you don't burn, and put an ordinary moisturizer on your skin. Go back in a few days and try it again, if you can go the whole ten this time without getting to hot, then you can buy a package and just go about a total of 25-30 minutes a week. No more. If you want they have all kinds of stuff to jump start your tan, they are a bit pricey though, they can usually be found online for about half the cost. Good luck with your tanning though from one ex-albino to a current one! Oh and I live in a quite cold area, and having a tan helps you stand out of the crowd a lot. Good luck and let me know how it turns out!

[trick]

Mystic Tan is the safest way. It's a UV free tanning bed. Google it or something. Most places will give you a free test drive.