My First Tanning Session

[Yeoman Randi]

I'm usually inside, i don't do a whole lot of stuff outside anymore. I really just can't take the heat, especially here on LI, it's always so friggin' humid.

My doctor specifically told me to get 15 minutes of sunshine a day to help with my Vit D deficiency.

If i can go to the tanning salon twice a week, use lotion, only stay in there 10-15 minutes a session, i really really don't see the problem.

And like i said, i actually felt different mentally and emotionally for hours after. It was like a happy pill. The lights triggered dopomine or whatever ....

I plan on going back today, stay in for ten minutes with lotion and just hope i don't do a Final Destination 3 in there.

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

I recently had bloodwork done. My doctor, upon seeing the results said to me, GET OUTSIDE FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! I have a mega lack of Vit D, so take prescription suppliments now.

Same here. I was told, "Buy some vitamin D ON YOUR WAY HOME." And calcium. And all the damn milk I drink and no vitamin D to help it absorb meant calcium supplements, too.

Is vitamin D fortified milk not available where you live? That's the only type of milk we used to drink as kids.

 

[Mr Awe]

The first I tanned was because I working at a gym. It was free, and I figured I'd try it out just for the hell of it. I did it a couple times, and my mood dramatically improved and my skin problems completely went away.

Despite my earlier flippant remark, I am glad it's working for you. I think if people have specific health needs, such as yours, this might be a good method.

Other than that, I do think it's a good idea to minimize sun exposure. Even for medical reasons, there *may* be healthier alternatives that you should consider.

For instance, I know people who have SAD and they use the special full spectrum lights (visible spectrum not UV) and they work fine.

I take vitamin D supplements.

That's not to say I avoid the sun at all costs. I don't even always put on sunblock. But, I never intentionally tan and if I am going to be in the sun more than usual, I do use sunblock.

Skin cancer does run in my family so I'm being extra careful.

Of course, everyone's situation varies, and you should weigh the benefits and risks of different methods.

Mr Awe

 

[Mr Awe]

What? You think you get nothing? Surely you jest! You get a greater liklihood of skin cancer and you get premature aging of your skin (e.g. you get to look older sooner).

No moreso than if you were just to spend a lot of time outside.

True, and I use sunblock for those occassions.

Mr Awe

 

[RoJoHen]

Skin cancer does run in my family so I'm being extra careful.

Of course, everyone's situation varies, and you should weigh the benefits and risks of different methods.

Such is the case with all things. There is no history of cancer whatsoever in my family, so I'm a lot less concerned.

Heart disease and alzheimers on the other hand...

 

[Yeoman Randi]

Just in from my second visit. Went the whole 15 this time, but still in the lower light bed. The crackling noises freak the shit out of me.

My legs are still white as Caspers (DAMMIT).... they never tan and usually i buy the fake shit and put it on my legs b/c they really are ridiculously white.

My upper body looks good now, nice color (i do tan very well there normally).

I considered just going in my backyard to tan today since it is outstanding weatherwise, but when i saw the neighbor's kid staring down at me from his window i decided to go to the salon.

Unexpected result: my knees and hips which have arthritis feel really good from the penetrating heat. And i have the emotionally charged feeling again like last time. Awesome.

Oh yeah, i fucked up the googly goggle things and now im a reverse racoon. FUCK!

 

[Mr Awe]

Skin cancer does run in my family so I'm being extra careful.

Of course, everyone's situation varies, and you should weigh the benefits and risks of different methods.

Such is the case with all things. There is no history of cancer whatsoever in my family, so I'm a lot less concerned.

Heart disease and alzheimers on the other hand...

No cancer doesn't mean your safe though. Although, if you're not getting much exposure outside of the tanning booths, you might be ok.

Recent studies demonstrate that the number of skin cancer cases in the United States is growing at an alarming rate.

emedicine

Personally, I also want to retain my youthful looks longer!

Mr Awe

 

[Kestra]

I think light skin can be quite beautiful, personally.

 

[SPCTRE]

I think light skin can be quite beautiful, personally.

Agreed 100%.

There are different types of light skin though (I'm never 100% sure about the exact meaning of "complexion" or any technical terms in that context), and I'm definitely jealous of people who get a tan "the natural way" more easily

 

[Yeoman Randi]

Is vitamin D fortified milk not available where you live? That's the only type of milk we used to drink as kids.

Sure it is. And i drink a lot of milk (although i drink soy milk but it is just as fortified with vit d) for the MENOPAUSE!!!! GAHHHHH! I don't know why i'm not getting enough. It puzzles me, it really does.

Skin cancer does run in my family so I'm being extra careful.

Of course, everyone's situation varies, and you should weigh the benefits and risks of different methods.

Such is the case with all things. There is no history of cancer whatsoever in my family, so I'm a lot less concerned.

Heart disease and alzheimers on the other hand...

Well, like one of my doctors said to me when i said cancer doesn't run in my family (this was not about tanning this was about hormone replacement therapy) her answer was, "Yeah, well until that first person GETS it, it isn't."

I think light skin can be quite beautiful, personally.

I totally agree. I would kill for red hair and fair skin. GORGEOUS!

 

[RoJoHen]

I think light skin can be quite beautiful, personally.

It can be, sure, but my skin looks terrible if I don't have a little bit of color. It gets dry and red and breaks out all over the place. Not pretty.

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

I think light skin can be quite beautiful, personally.

Indeed. Light skinned guys are my "type" really.

 

[PKTrekGirl]

M'kay, so to start off so you get the idea, i am the whitest person in America. There is no exaggeration to this fact.

I propose a white-off. Because I promise you, if I'm not whiter, I'll give you a huge run for your money.

As one of my bosses in Alaska once said to me, "There are halibut that are tanner than you!".

And this is coming from an Alaskan.

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

Whiter than sour cream?

 

[RAMA]

As usual, these sorts of studies tend to be overstated...for 30 years there has been no major study that links melanoma to tanning beds (btw depsite what it sounds like, only a very small percentage of people get melanoma in the first place).

http://hunter-gatherer.com/blog/media-hysteria-tanning-beds-and-melanoma

This one attempt at refuting one study doesn't mean that no other studies have made a connection. Go here (a scientific journal dedicated to melanoma and pigment cells) and do a search for tanning bed or something similar. You'll find several studies and literature reviews on the subject. If you want more, go search PubMed. The link is pretty well established, although some might quibble on the magnitude of the risk.

At this point there does seem to be a link...I'm not saying there is NO risk, but the fact is there are OTHER risk factors that are greater or similar to that of getting a salon tan. This is often neglected in the hysterical reports from the media. Often these factors are present with those who also get salon tans. Another factor I have not seen mentioned here is that tanning beds are more time regulated than natural sun tans...you really can't overtan in them. You are far more likely to burn in the sun.

RAMA

 

[RAMA]

This is hilarious...I've been tanning since 1998...my only real worry was that my ass would be burned

That doesn't seem too bad, considering other parts of the anatomy that could potentially get burned.

Well THAT body part was not directly touching anything.

 

[RAMA]

I think light skin can be quite beautiful, personally.

Agreed 100%.

There are different types of light skin though (I'm never 100% sure about the exact meaning of "complexion" or any technical terms in that context), and I'm definitely jealous of people who get a tan "the natural way" more easily

I do see light skinned people who are attractive...I've always had the sense since a very young age that dark people are "healthier", while this may not strictly be the case...it may be that I make the mental connection that darker people are more active. That is the sort of thing I'm attracted to.

RAMA

 

[RoJoHen]

As usual, these sorts of studies tend to be overstated...for 30 years there has been no major study that links melanoma to tanning beds (btw depsite what it sounds like, only a very small percentage of people get melanoma in the first place).

http://hunter-gatherer.com/blog/media-hysteria-tanning-beds-and-melanoma

This one attempt at refuting one study doesn't mean that no other studies have made a connection. Go here (a scientific journal dedicated to melanoma and pigment cells) and do a search for tanning bed or something similar. You'll find several studies and literature reviews on the subject. If you want more, go search PubMed. The link is pretty well established, although some might quibble on the magnitude of the risk.

At this point there does seem to be a link...I'm not saying there is NO risk, but the fact is there are OTHER risk factors that are greater or similar to that of getting a salon tan. This is often neglected in the hysterical reports from the media. Often these factors are present with those who also get salon tans. Another factor I have not seen mentioned here is that tanning beds are more time regulated than natural sun tans...you really can't overtan in them. You are far more likely to burn in the sun.

RAMA

Indeed. I don't know about anywhere else, but Illinois has pretty strict laws regarding how long and how often a person is allowed to tan.