To tanning bed or not?
 

My hubbie and I are going to Maui in a couple of weeks. We've never been to a really sunny climate before.<BR><BR>My friend Pam says I should go to the do the tanning bed thing before I go. <BR><BR>I'm a little dubious though. Not only is it bad for you, but I hear you can get crabs from them. Is this true?<BR><BR>Thanks,<BR><BR>-Darvy

I use tanning beds every spring in order not to burn once the summer sun comes out. My dermatologist hates it. He says it causes as much skin cancer as the sun. I'm sure this is true. As far as crabs, In the 10 yrs that I have been doing it, have never known this to be true. If you don't want to be tanned (or burned) on your trip just use 30 and keep applying often.

Tanning.. well.. do you like the sun?<BR><BR>If you do enjoy being outdoors, condition your skin, find a reputable, clean tanning salon.<BR><BR>Some people will burn much easier than others!<BR><BR>I'm tanning now.. for a trip in July.. do it slowly..<BR><BR>What is worse? to get a sunburn the first few hours out!!! and NOT enjoy the vacation?

When you are in surgery for a melanoma,you will wish that all you got was crabs.

I agree with above post. It's like sauteing your chicken before you broil it. Same outcome- burned, charred skin.

Darvy:<BR><BR>I know your dilemma. I went to Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida in Nov. 2000 and May 2001. Both times I used a tanning bed before going. During that time, I would always cover my face w/a fishing hat as the face would show exposure to UV mostly if exposed. It sure was nice to go to Florida and only have to wear an SPF 4 the whole time instead of the thick stuff or nothing at all and get no burn. I can't preach but I wouldn't go anymore. If it's a once in a lifetime vacation, I don't want to screw it up in a major way w/sunburn-blister type exposure, I would do it. However, go slow. Go 10 minutes at first and then 1 or 2 minutes more each time you go instead of doing what the stupid teenagers do and go 20 minutes the first time. Even after you work yourself up to 14 minutes you'll see a definate tan.

Getting a tan before you go is nice, but it will NOT protect you from burning once you get to your intensely sunny destination. I tan very easily, but always use a sun block when exposed to strong summer or tropical sun.

My best friend died at age 36 from melanoma 6 months ago. Is getting a tan worth dying for? PLEASE forget the tan and protect yourself with lots of sunscreen!

I tan easily, too, but prefer to use SPF 45 so I don't get wrinkly in my old age (wish me luck). However, I understand the embarrassment of paper-white legs, so this summer, I'm trying www.hollywoodtan.com. I saw it on Good Morning American and seems soooo much easier than applying self-tanner myself. Or, get a really good girlfriend to do the dirty work of applying self tanner, soemone else whould have a better chance of keeping the color even.

I have to agree with the last poster reagrding avoiding tanning beds. I live in Hawaii and see people who are totally red and sunburned. Nothing will ruin a vacation faster than a terrible burn. A tanning bed is no safer than regular sun exposure. If you aren't used to sunny climates you will burn here because the sun is much much more intense.<BR><BR>The safest and most sane thing is to wear good sunscreen (SPF15 or SPF30) which is waterproof and reapply it regularly (Coppertone Sport is good and doesn't feel too gloppy). You will still pick up some color. If you want a safe tan try a self-tanning lotion (I like Neutrogena's self-tanning spray - dries quick, looks natural, etc.)

Never mind, I thought Hollywood Tan was the spray-booth. Anyone know the name of that place?

Tanning beds are great, depending on how you like your skin cancer. There are basal cells. Nice little things that make big, hard, ugly knots on the back of your neck. But there also those that form under the skin on the cheeks and can invade the eye if not removed. Usually a 4 inch incision will enable a good microsurgeon to get it out, but it depends on how far it has gone. (My dermatlogist took some real neat pictures of my cheek when he had it pulled open with those little hooks. Nice pretty red where he was digging out the pieces.)<BR>Then there are those neat little squamous cell carcinomas that form on the face, backs of hands, tops of ears, backs of necks, shoulders, etc. They form hard white little patches sometimes, or discolored growths if you let them mature. Quite colorful as they get older, often bloody.<BR>Then there are the sinister melanoma cells that turn an ugly black, and kill.<BR>Like in D - E - A - D dead. Of course you might easily die of something else first. So tan away. You can then have a race to see who has surgery first.<BR>Lots of good dermatologists around.<BR>They do a good job of taking off the squamous and basal cells. Melanoma is a different story.<BR>Also it might confort you to know that a slight tan only does slight damage to the skin's DNA. But the body reverses the damage only with difficulty.<BR>

What ever you do--use the highest sun block you can find. No matter how dark you are, you will get burned with out it in Hawaii. Last time I was there, my friend decided to go without and got absolutely fried.

two words: skin cancer

you only have to look at the hollywood stars to see they are all either pale and interesting or faked to the max,i live in the u.k so i can show you pale, do your self a favour fake it ,fake tans are so good now . go to a salon the day before you go ,have a massage,have a fake applied.<BR>no cancer no wrinkles.<BR>ejoy your holiday.

Our golden retriever loves to lay in the sun and swim. He developed a black spot on his head. Turned out it was melanoma. Our vet told us he is seeing more and more cases of melanoma in dogs. If dogs with fur are developing melanoma think about what the sun does to human skin. Tanning beds are no better. And, if the health reasons are not a big incentive, your face is going to be wrinkled when you hit 40.

Did you see "Something about Mary"?<BR><BR>Use the tan in a bottle. You'll appreciate it later when you don't look like an old hag.

Where I live, the women are starting to get smart and have stopped tanning.<BR>In fact, it has become a sort of snobbish way to view others, the smart ones with money stay pale, the "others" lay out in the sun and get a dark and leathery,sort of class system here.Usually the ones with tans smoke too.

Some people like to do more in life than just sit under an umbrella and fear the sun. I like participating in water activities so I go in the sun.

All things in moderation are O.K., including tanning beds. PROLONGED use COULD give you skin cancer, but 2 or 3 visits every year won't hurt you. I say go for it, but don't abuse it, and don't listen to the doomsday-scenario threads above.<BR><BR>Have fun on your trip.

thank you x

Doomsday my ass. I have two skin cancer surgery scars on my young body. Wanna see 'em?

We, too, are going to Maui in less than two weeks, and I've been contemplating putting on a "fake tan" to hide my pasty white legs.<BR>That said, I'm very fair. However, out of all the times that I've been to Hawaii (several) I've never burned except maybe for a tiny patch on my upper arm that I forgot to put sunscreen on!<BR>I believe that a 30 works best. A fifteen will also suffice for me. However, that is only if I plan to lay out for like two hours. Therefore, it's<BR>imperative to wear a higher number if you're really pale and never tan!!!<BR>My husband is olive complected and wears a 45, and somehow, he still burns more than I. Go figure. Everyone's skin reacts differently in the blazing sun. But one thing's for sure, don't do the tanning booth. Everyone used to<BR>think that was the way to go, and I myself have done it twice. Have I burned inside a booth? Yes, slightly, after only 8 minutes. Twice I did the tanning booth before Hawaii thing, and twice I came down sick shortly afterwards with cold or flu like symptoms. That happened twice.<BR>The third time I did the tanning booth I didn't get flu-like symptoms, but I'd<BR>rather rub on the fake tan these days and lie in the shade by the pool.<BR>Must be my old age kicking in.<BR>

I also vote for the fake tanning stuff - just remember that although it makes you look a little tanned, this type of tan does not protect you from burning at all and you still need SPF 30 - 45. The reason a lot of people still burn with tanning lotion with this high SPF is that they don't use enough - you actually need to use at least 1-2 ounces. When I actually measured that amount, I found it was far more than I would ever think of using of the white gloppy stuff - but it sure beats skin cancer. Have a good trip.

I just had surgery in December for a melanoma on the back of my leg. It was not pleasant, nor is the fact that I now see the oncologist & dermatologist every 3 months for the next 2 yrs. But, there is no way for me to totally avoid the sun-I enjoy the outdoors far too much. Here is the advise from my NYU surgeon: Apply waterproof Pre-Sun 30 or 45 at least 1/2 hour before going outside. Buy clothing with sunblock protection. Wear a hat. Try to be in the shade as much as possible from 12 PM to 2 PM. Re-apply the Pre-Sun every 2 hrs, more if possible. So, lesson learned, but not before adding a 5" scar to my calf.

We just returned from Florida and were absolutely shocked at the number of people, all ages, who were tanned to a burnt crisp. They were all laying out in the peak noonday sun in skimpy suits, frying their skins even further. And yes, many of them DID smoke as well. <BR><BR>I felt like we were in some sort of time warp, where no medical information about the health hazards of tobacco or the sun had ever been mentioned. These people will be in their doctor's offices about ten years from now, expressing shock at that diagnosis of lung and/or skin cancer and blaming everyone and everything except themselves for it. I know, I worked as a hospice volunteer, and most patients were smokers who absolutely would not accept responsibility for their own behavior in connection with their lung diseases. They wanted to blame the doctors, the insurance companies, anything except themselves. <BR><BR>Use the self tanning lotions, cover up with waterproof sunblock, and wear a hat when you're not in the water. You CAN take some simple preventative steps to reduce your risk and keep your skin beautiful. <BR><BR>

Don't pay for sunscreen over SPF 30 if it costs more.<BR>The difference between 30 and anything higher is trivial. Fine if it costs the same, otherwise a waste of $$.

Darvy, if you get a tan slowly from a tanning bed and then go into the hot sun you will be better off if you don't have the build up and get a severe burn. Its the severe burns that cause cancer but if you gradually build up and don't get burned, you should be ok. I go to Rio de janiero every year and their sun is extremelt tropical and hot, most of the time I do get a tan from a tanning bed before I go and that allows me to walk around Rio without much concern, I find it much better.

While it is true that infrequent burns are more likely to cause skin cancer than slow tanning, slow tanning causes skin cancer in the same manner.<BR>There is simply no such thing as a safe tan, unless it comes from a bottle.

I always go to the tanning salong before going on vacation to a sunny destination. <BR><BR>I'm a pasty white guy from up north. I don't see the sun very often. I also happen to be a complete water nut - I like sailing, SCUBA, surfing, windsurfing, swimming, etc. I run, hike, ski, snowboard, bike, rollerblade, fly kites, and basically love hanging outside.<BR><BR>When I go to a tropical destination, I like to enjoy the outdoors. Even if I slather on 45 the entire time, I will get a burn unless I have a base tan. This is at most a once per year type of proposition for me, so I gladly take that over the sunburn.<BR><BR>Go to the tanning salon 2 or three times. Enough to build up a slight tan. Then when you get to the tropics, you'll still wear sunscreen but you'll also be able to enjoy the outdoors without getting a horrible burn. <BR><BR>If I'm going to be out in the sun, I should at least not get burned. <BR><BR>

Here's a web site created by a dermatologist who recommends avoiding tanning booths. Check out the section about movie actors with the before and after photos of stars who have had prolonged sun exposure, like Robert Redford and Brigette Bardot. This is NOT a natural effect of aging, but rather, a direct result of sun exposure:<BR><BR>http://itsb.ucsf.edu/~vcr/index.html<BR><BR>Makes you want to slather on the 48 SPF, doesn't it?<BR>

I'll offer three thoughts: babyoil, iodine, bikini wax. Nobody lives forever - and somebody's always taking fun out of the sun. And put the T-Bird top down to boot. Surf's up! Have a ball.

Here's an idea: self-tanner. You get the same look without the risk of skin cancer, which, yes, you would be at risk for.

Self tanner safety is a thought, but I think orange may not be the colour du saison this year ... and besides, you dare not go near any chlorine ... unless you like to swim to the strains of Lavender Blue, lolly, Lavender Green.

FYI RNR, but nowadays self-tanner isn't your mother's self-tanner. The majority will not turn your skin orange, and you can swim in pools just fine. However if one prefers tanning beds and skin cancer, be my guest.

ttt

I'll add to this line the 4 places to make sure you hit with the sunscreen that many people forget:<BR>1)Top and back of the ears - especially if wearing a baseball cap<BR>2)Skin exposed along your part line in your hair - especially if wearing a sun visor<BR>3)Tops of your feet - especially if walking on the beach or in flip flops<BR>4)First inch of skin along the edge of your swimsuit - in case it rides up or down just a bit

X:<BR><BR>Anyone past the age of 10 knows how to apply sunscreen, we don't need a mother type on the board telling us adults how to do it.

Stephanie, obviously your mother failed to teach you some needed lessons. The first one is common courtesy. I believe someone else here has already reported you and your ISP to Fodors for your repeated antagonism.