well i actually have a question at the end of april i have somewhere i need to attend and i would like to get a nice tan but i dont know how often i should go tanning.......i will be going to a dance and wearing hoottttttt pink meaning i need to tan...i do have olive skin and i dont burn at all but how often would be the best for me to get the best tan?

The last time I really went tanning for an event was prom about 2 years ago! It may be hard to decide how often to go because it is important not to burn and not to peel!!! Considering the amount of time you have, space out the number of times you go tanning. You might even want to get a package somewhere! I used to every Wed and Sat, especially in the beginning. I started for about ten minutes the first week, so I wouldn't burn. Then I kept going twice a week for 15 min. The week before Prom I went tanning 3 times, and the week of I only went two times again. Do not go tanning the day before Prom!!! You don't want to be burned or look like you have a fake tan! If you don't go the day before Prom, your tan will look more natural and you will still be GLOWING!! This worked for me.....by the time prom came around I was a natural-looking bronze color!!! P.S. my dress was pink as well...I love the color you picked! Have fun!!!

Do you consider the spray tan method? More expensive then tanning but considered safer. Also use less time. Look into all options because not sure long term effects.

I used to tan all the time. I would stop for a long time and then start up again. If you have never been in a tanning bed, take it easy at first because the tanning beds can be a lot different then natural sunlight. Depending on the tanning bed, your results may vary. There are different levels of uv bulbs used in tanning salons. Usually you can go into a tanning salon, explain to them that you have never tanned before, and they can look at your skin and tell you how long to start out with. If you do ok, then increase the length of time you are in the bed a little at a time. You can also start going more often. When I start out from no tan, I go for shorter time periods like 10 minutes twice a week. Then step it up to 15 to 20 minutes and go once a week. That does really well for me. But again, everyone is different.

Be sure to get some good lotion made for tanning beds. They should have some at the salon. It will help you have a better tan and prevent burning. I usually buy the ones that have skin bronzer in it to help give some added color.

Another bit of advice is to rotate in the bed if possible. Alternate from your back to your stomach. This will help keep your body evenly tanned and can also help if you feel like your back is getting too hot.

As for the spray on tan, I have tried those a couple times. They are nice and definately safer, but they rub off your skin if you rub too hard or wash too much and I think they make you smell wierd. I tried a couple different salons for that and the tan only lasted about a week before I started to have areas fade. It wouldn't hurt for you to try that out to see if you like it though. I know some people love it. One other bad thing about this though, is that when you go out in the real sun your body won't be ready for it and you will burn.

Have fun!