Ok, 2 silly questions:
1) I am very fair (redhair, freakles) and I've never been anywhere south of Florida. I am a bit worried that I'll get fried not matter what sun block I'm wearing. Any fellow pale people care to share their experience?
2) On the same note, did anyone try one of those self-tan sprays (the kind you get done at a spa) and if so did it last through your trip or wear off in the water and on your clothes and look stupid?
I know, sounds vain, but I just don't want to look so very pale!

PS - Please don't tell me anything bad about Jamaica. I've already bought tickets to Couples Negril to surprise my husband and it may be the one and only time in our lives we get to go to any island. I hope our trip is not a disapointment after some of the posts I've read.

I think you'll have a great time in Negril. We are going in May & our daughter is fair too. She is loading up the sunscreen & planning to wear a t-shirt & sarong over her bathing suit if she starts to feel warm.

I wondered about the tan spray stuff too. My neighbor went twice to a tanning booth before her trip to Hawaii & looked "healthy" but not too tanned. Still there is the health concern.

If you want some good pictures of Negril & postings by the locals, try going to www.negril.com. I have found much info there. Do try to take some off resort trips. The resort is supposed to be great but the rest of Negril is worth seeing. We want to see the cliff divers & the other tropical scenery.

I'm not fair haired, but I also burn with not too much difficulty. I generally wear 30 sun block mostly and at times some 15 to get some color. The 30 is pretty good. Make sure you get a waterproof one, and reapply it regularly. Also make sure you get your face, ears, etc., as those burn easy. I also generally wear a baseball cap while I'm in the water, partly to block some sun from my face and partly because it gets so hot without it.

Almost all spas and salons providing body treatments will have a treatment to apply the self tan.
It does not wear off in the water or on your clothes...it does slowly fade away but by then you'll have picked up a bit of natural colour.
The day before you go away book an appt with a salon - usually they pair the application of the self tan with an overall exfoliation and moisterization treatment (I call it a buff & polish!). When it's applied even after drying it will still leave a little discolouration on your undergarments so wear old stuff that you're not too concerned about (it does wash out). After several hours it's dried completely and you will have a very nice and even glow - enough so you won't feel pale you're first few days. Have not tried the spray booths but personally I like the pampering of the buff and polish at a salon or spa.
As I mentioned it won't last through the trip unless you take along some self tanner (Estee Lauder for the Face is excellent and Nuetrogena I find very good for the body).
Even if you're wearing a 30 and 45 everyday for protection, you may still naturally pick up colour (unless you are in the shade 100% of the time) and so won't need to reapply the self tanner.
Have a great time and don't worry about the negative posts..I always figure each to their own, and if it was really that BAD all those resorts would have closed up their doors a long time ago from lack of business!

I'm fair too and I always apply a bottle tan before I go. If you use one, be sure to buy one labeled "fair" or "light" (they come in medium and dark too). I apply a very thin, even coat and this seems to keep the orange tinge away. As for suntan lotion - a minimum 15 SPF UVA/UVB, waterproof. I use 15 because I find it easier to apply than the higher SPF's. Also, apply it in your room, in your bday suit - truly full coverage. If you snorkel, be sure to reapply to your feet and face right away - the equipment takes the lotion right off. All this, will get you a little color and help you have a good time - nothing worse than being fried.

My husband is very pale and takes blood pressure medicine that can cause him to burn on top of being pale. I ALWAYS bring Hawaiian Tropic's Ozone SPF 70. My husband calls it liquid t-shirt. It keeps him from burning as long as he reapplies, but still allows him to tan. Here's a link to the hawaiian Tropic's website.
http://www.hawaiiantropic.com/2004/p...tion_ozone.htm

Enjoy your trip!

I'm a founding member of Pale Folks R Us. When I'm in the Caribbean, I use SPF 15 when I'm not in the direct sun and SPF 30 when I am (like snorkeling, hiking, shopping, or just reading). I reapply after every dip in the water and I use waterproof sunscreen when I'm in the water for any length of time. The only sunburns I've ever had down there were in places that I had somehow missed the sunscreen--my lips, scalp, and my armpits come to mind. I also definitely stay out of the direct sun from about 11:00 until 3:00 each day. I always come home with some nice color but no redness.

I've never used any fake tan products successfully, so I can't answer that. Hope you have a fabulous time!

your post made me laugh because it made me think of my poor hubby who also has paleness issues. he uses spf 30 and applies it liberally before he goes into water. if he's not in the water, he stays in the shade. make sure you do that. and don't forget your hat! can't help you on the spray. have a great time in jamaica!

I'm very fair too and usually fake bake for a month before I go. Doing so helps me get a base at least. I dont know about the spray stuff. People still look kind of orange to me.

You might also want to get a sunblock (not sunscreen) to take with you for those senstitive areas..nose, ears, shoulders (they always burn). I dont have a particular brand..just make sure it's a total sunblock. I go to the health food store and buy what's on sale.

Couples Negril is great! You'll love it. We went last May and loved it. The food is wonderful. The beach is like a lake...smooth as glass. Not much night life...unless you go into the town of Negril.

Have fun...Greenie =)

Although the spray on tans can make you look nice, they are purely cosmetic, and offer no natural protection from UV rays. The smartest way to prepare for a trip to the tropics is to use UV tanning equipment at a good salon. If you have very pale skin, it will require several sessions to build up a good base. As your skin starts to darken, this is your body's natural way of trying to protect your skin. Remember, the UV rays in a tanning salon are very controlled, where as the beach sun is very UN-controlled. Building the base a month or two before your trip is by far the smartest move. And don't forget the lotions. Tanning indoors or outdoors without lotions & moisturizers is like brushing your teeth without toothpaste!! Take care of your skin and tan smart...

1) I am very fair too, my dermatologist recommended Coppertone Water Babies 45. I get the spray lotion, as I find it easier to apply/rub in. I also use Bain de Soleil (sp) Megatan - which has a self-tanner and contains SPF 4. Not strong enough for the Jamaica sun, but you can pair w/the 45 and still get some "color".

For lengthy periods in the water, like snorkeling, you should consider getting a nylon shirt the surfers wear - called a "rashguard", most are 30-50 SPF. A regular white t-shirt is only about 5 SPF. Here's a link to some made esp. for women:

http://www.patagonia.com/za/PDC/Pgon...65654&pg=3

2) I did one of those spa tans before my last vacation and thought it worked well. The tech sprays on the solution - you are "airburushed" tan. Downside was that it felty kind of sticky for about 6 hours after. After that it just faded like a natural tan.

Please keep in mind that going to a UV tanning center, even if controlled, is still doing sun damage to your skin. Have a great time in Jamaica!

Would recommend a 'pre-sun conditioner' with TYROSINE and/or Copper Peptides high in the ingredient list will help raise the melanin level in your skin as a base;then SPF 30-50 and Zinc oxide on your tender spots like top of feet, back of knees, nose and ears. Find the pre-sun stuff at a tanning shop or local
CVS/Rexall-type pharmacy. Tanning booths are to be avoided. The new spray tans are cosmetic only but help you
get over the first day 'macaroni beach'
look.