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.
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!
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
imperative to wear a higher number if you're really pale and never tan!!!
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
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.
The third time I did the tanning booth I didn't get flu-like symptoms, but I'd
rather rub on the fake tan these days and lie in the shade by the pool.
Must be my old age kicking in.

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.

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.

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.

Don't pay for sunscreen over SPF 30 if it costs more.
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.
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.

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.

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.

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.

If I'm going to be out in the sun, I should at least not get burned.

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:

http://itsb.ucsf.edu/~vcr/index.html

Makes you want to slather on the 48 SPF, doesn't it?

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:
1)Top and back of the ears - especially if wearing a baseball cap
2)Skin exposed along your part line in your hair - especially if wearing a sun visor
3)Tops of your feet - especially if walking on the beach or in flip flops
4)First inch of skin along the edge of your swimsuit - in case it rides up or down just a bit

X:

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.