Tanning Bed nightmare!!

[iloveEdwardCullen]

Okay.. I recently bought a month plan at a tanning salon called Tantastic. I'm extremely fair skinned and even under the bulbs for only 5 mins, I get burned. Also, the burns come in splotches all over my body(not evenly :[) and each splotch starts to itch really badly at least 30 minutes after I tan.

The burn turns temporarily into a tan, but then peels away, even after I put on some Ocean Potion anti-peeling lotion. I asked a walmart employee in the skin care department about what I could do to prevent from burning and just tan. She said to wear sunscreen, that it'll block out the rays that produce the redness and keep the tanning rays in.

I haven't tried that yet, in fear that I'll keep getting those same burning, itching splotches. So I have a few questions. What might be causing the burning? And does anyone have any other better-tanning solutions? And also, how might I get an even tan without it peeling away?

Pleeease help!

[Little]

You're tanning way too often, and probably at the wrong level. Ask the employees at the tanning salon what "level" the beds are ... some start at level two, which is way too strong for fair-skinned people. On level two beds, I have to start at 3-4 minutes (and I have a fair dose of Latino in my background.)
On the actual tanning bed there should be a chart that is a plan for how to tan correctly starting out. You'll notice that it recommends that very light-skinned people simply not tan. However, you can use the next-highest column in the chart to plan out your exposure. Believe me, if you're paying a monthly unlimited price, you're paying too much.
Sunscreen does NOT block out the "rays that produce the redness." That's bull hockey. It blocks out all the rays ... it just delays them so that you can stay in the bed for 5 minutes and not get burnt. As for what causing the burning, it's the bed.
Apply tanning lotion before (and maybe after) tanning. Don't be shy about tanning at 3 minute intervals ... or even less than that! And stay at 3 minutes or less as long as you need to. Every time you get burnt you are upping your risk for skin cancer (even more than you are just by using the bed ... everyone takes risks in their life, though.)
Any good tanning salon will have employees who will help you. If they don't, consider taking your business elsewhere!

[happy ending]

i cant believe people still use these things, if you really have to tan why not try a spray on tan, you can be as brown as you like and not risk melanoma. there is no such thing as a healthy tan, EVER!!!

[Tina Lee]

I use Jergens lotion.

You apply it on everyday, and within a week you'll have your tan. As long as you apply it evenly, there's no streaks. And I love that it makes my skin soft.

There's three different shades as well: Fair skin, medium skin tones, and one other that I can't remember.

[Sonora]

Just be careful with tanning beds they have been proven to be skin cancer causing..
I am scared of them to be honest with you.

[leemae]

Me too at first I was scared that tanning bed bulbs cause cancer. but after doing so much research about it, much of the articles and studies I have read say that it is safe but overdoing it may cause some skin irritation.

[pink rosa]

Your skin was not made for that sun . I think Use coconut oil to treat the damage and dis continue your tanning . Well and this means the most pretty you can look is w/ your natural light skin ! don't change it .. and you risk getting cancers and wrinkles , do you want that ? when already you look nice with light skin ?

[mdraven380]

I've only been in a tanning bed once in my whole life.
It was a scary experience. It felt like I was in a microwave coffin.
I use self tanner most of the time now. I may lay out a few times in my backyard to get some color.

[eleni]

aw man dont do it.

im not saying that its the most awful thing in the world
but if you have fair skin it can cause all sorts of problems.
not to mention the elevated risk of skin cancers.

thats so much rubbish that the woman was telling you.
suncream will not 'block the burning rays and keep the tanning rays in'
she doesnt know what she's talking about.

just realised this was ages old but im going to add my two cents anyway x

[cattchels]

I'm fair skinned as well. No matter how much or little you go to the tanning bed, or what strength the bulbs are, you are not going to change the fact that you are fair skinned and burn. Our skin is not meant for heavy UVA/UVB exposure. Have you tried a spray tan instead?