I know nothing about pre-tanning! HELP!!

[jenninjamaica]

Hi everyone! I tried doing a search about tanning, so I apologize in advance if I missed a previous thread. I normally spend a lot of time outside in the summer working at a daycare, so I always get a great tan. But we are getting married June 1, 2010 and I will not have gotten any sort of tan by then. I would like to pre-tan so my pictures look great, but I have no idea what to do. Plus my MOH is white as can be and will need to tan so she doesn't burn!!! We need help!

 

What's the difference between spray tanning and tanning beds? How far in advance should I start? How often does one have to commit to this? Does anyone in Winnipeg have a place to recommend?

 

Thanks so much for your help!!!

[sweetiecat]

Spray tanning is "fake" tanning - basically just spray on color for your skin. It can look really nice as long as you don't overdo the color. If you go this route, I would try doing it now to see how it looks, and then you would go a short while before leaving for your wedding.

 

Tanning beds use the UV lamp to actually tan your skin, but some say they are more dangerous than the sun. I burn easily, so I've never used them, but from what I've heard, you need to start short (5 minutes or so - your MOH may need to start out lower than that since she is more fair) and work up to 10-12 minutes at a time. If you burn, take a few days off to heal, and drink lots of water to keep your skin hydrated. You would want to start a month or two before leaving for your wedding to be able to build up the tan. I think they tell you to go a few times a week. They'll be able to help you out more at the tanning salon to give you a better schedule.

[sunstarsmoon]

When you go to your local tanning salon, they will be able to suggest to you, start mins etc. When I start tanning I usually go 3x a week until I have a good base tan then I start to limit my days to maintain. I will be starting my tanning sessions in September. (I am getting married in Dec.)

[pjlisa]

Something to think about with a spray tan is that it can rub off on your clothing and can dry your skin out like crazy, worse than tanning. Now every tanning salon will tell you that this doesn't happen, but I used to work at a tanning salon and it can. I think it differs by person, because I've seen where very little or a lot rubs off. If you are thinking about going this route, definitely try it now to see how it affects your skin and how it rubs off OR find someone in your area who does spray tan through airbrushing....it seems to last better and rub off FAR less.

[JT3]

My friend did a spary tan in Beach Bumm Tanning and well lets say she took a shower and it cleaned off. She was upset b.c she had waited the amount of time they told her and it still came off. I have done tanning in a tanning bed and well you can start a month before but I have done it a week before an event, but then again I dont burn easy so I would stay the 12 minutes and go almost 4 times in a week and I usually get the best bed. Just ask the tanning salon. When is your wedding, how many days will you be there before your wedding? Maybe you might have enough time to tan under the sun...

[KJT1985]

So...there are two types of UV light, UVA and UVB. One can't pentrate your skin deeply and causes your cells to burn. The other goes deeper into your skin, causing a tan but also causes more DNA damage (what leads to skin cancer). A tan is brought about by your cells sending melanin pigments to the surface so as to block some of the damaging rays. Tanning beds use the type of UV light that goes deep into your skin (so you tan instead of burn). However, it IS much more dangerous than getting a natural tan (because your skin has no time to react and send a "buffer" up to protect your DNA).

 

With that said, spray tanning is healthier but something i've never personally tried. I have used a tanning bed a few times (because I too wanted that base tan so I didn't get burned). I have dark hair but white skin and I started using the tanning bed around 8-10 minutes each time for maybe 3 times a week. Initially I was a bit red but never had any flaking, itching problem - just turned tan within a day or so. Over time, you can increase the amount of time you spend in there. I got up to about 15 minutes. While its more dangerous, I don't see any problem with using a bed just for things like this (would NEVER do it on a regular basis). I'm probably going to start going about a month before the wedding. I want a good base so I don't burn when we get down there but I also don't want to be unnaturally dark. I, personally, don't want the mess of a spray tan. Also, a warm tanning bed is REALLY comfy and relaxing during the winter months! Just my two cents...

[KarenM]

Besides rubbing off on clothes, another thing I have heard is that spray tans can look really really orange or weird in photos. I would consider asking your photog what their opinion is before deciding if that's the route you want to go.

[vlynnw]

To get a pre-tan I would go to the tanning bed and start about 3 weeks before you leave so you have a nice base-tan that will prevent you from getting burnt during the trip. Any tanning salon you go to will tell you what will work best for your skin and how long you should be in a bed. I prefer stand-up beds, because I think it's a better tan and you don't have to lie down in something that someone has sweat in even if they do clean them I find it a little unnerving.

[jenninjamaica]

Thanks for all the help ladies!!!

[hat0112]

I used to tan in the booth (not the bed, I find them unnerving too vlynnw) but I don't know which route I will go: tanning booth or spray. I don't want to damage my skin, but I don't want to risk looking orange and having my tan come off.