NWR: Tanning 101 I feel dumb asking but....

Melanoma is at our house right now. The current surgical scar is 5 inches long. Mel does not run in the family, and no genetic stuff to be a canidate for it. Dark hair and eyes, dark skin, does not burn easy, no fair skinned genetics. No tanning and don't live in a sun state.

New tiny mole and boom it is cancer and the most deadly form of skin cancer.

I don't suggest tanning, we always use block.

That being said yes over the years there were a few sunburns on face neck etc. while working out in the yard.

Mel needs to leave our house and never come back he is not welcome here and we will do our best to keep him and his family members away.

@Sam, hmm, who should I trust? Someone who works at a tanning salon, or the WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION?

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs287/en/

Or the CDC, which directly refutes your claims?

http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/indoor_tanning.htm

Nice try, though.

Excuse me. What got up your butt this morning? over 1.5 million people a year use indoor tanning for psoriasis treatment and it is prescribed by dermatologists and called safe. Those who live in sunny climates like California have around 50% less cases of cancer. Do you know why? Because it has been proven recently that cancer cells actually process Vitamin D. Again, in moderation, the tanning is not harmful. Most organizations against tanning have made billions off of the "sun scare". You realize that right? No, I will never trust a government website on information about my health.

Regardless, the OP doesn't need to have a lecture. She's an adult and can decide what she can and can not do. I tan once a week or once every two weeks. I am alive and perfectly healthy.

It’s good that you’ve never tanned, because it’s not good for you!

To answer your questions (i've had my fair share of tanning):

-All tanning beds are different. I wouldn’t feel dumb asking one of the people that work there for a tutorial. I always have had a tutorial on a tanning bed at every place I’ve been and with every new bed I’ve used.

-Lotions are optional. It’s recommended that you use them but I’ve forgot mine more than a few times and tanned without.

-I go all natural, everything comes off! With that said, the place I go is very good about keeping the beds clean.

-I would work out, tan, and then shower. I always shower after I tan, otherwise I feel gross. I think when they say don’t shower after you tan they are talking about the spray on tans.

I don't tan but there are plenty of other issues people have obesity, diabetes, smoking, etc. As long as are ok with the risks then carry on.

@Sam S - Leanna T. is calling you out because your posts are misleading. I suspect you may have read the stats but haven't fully comprehended. Besides as someone who works for a tanning salon of course you are going to have bias. You think an employ at RJ Reynolds is going to condem cigarettes?

See that's the thing though, I may work at a tanning salon but I have no loyalty to the business I guess you could say. I work here because I'm helping out a family friend. Before working for her, I had never been to a salon. As I said, I rarely tan even with being there. I suppose I'm just tired of everyone listening to the "don't do it, it will kill you!" type media when it really is not entirely true. There are a lot of studies that have been done to show the benefits as well, which I wouldn't have believed either until I was actually interested enough myself to look into them.

Use lotion, it intensifies the tan. When I used beds I tanned naked but that was just my preference. Like the others said, start for a few minutes and work your way up to the full time. When younger I tanned a bit too much and with age I have come to care about the potential risks a bit more, so I stick to the spray tans now, but to each there own, good luck and enjoy the naps in the lay down beds

I very rarely tan. A lot place will give you a walk through as new "member" I also cover my face with a towel until the last few minutes because my face gets more actually sun and I can even it out with make up. I generally on tan to get a "base" before a tropical vacation when I haven't been in the sun. Good luck.

Definitely agree with Gina. I wear makeup with SPF everyday. If there's one place I don't want looking super leathery/rough when I get older, it's my face!

Bahahaha, Samantha.......!!!

Im 25 and have never tanned. I've always been teased for my pale white skin too but I love it. I have no intersting in tanning. I love the beach but always use 50. try not to get too much sun. My grandma has had skin cancer more than once and is always lecturing me about the sun.

Luckily they are pretty easy to use, but you can't do it alone. They are highly regulated so the people at the front desk will need to activate the booth and set the timer. Once you are in there, there is a button you press to start it.

Definitely use a lotion, but make sure it's an indoor tanning one. It helps to boost the tan by keeping your skin moisturized.

Start slow. You don't want to develop any pink color at all. If you do, take a few days off to let the burn go away!

I guess I just don't get why being the color you naturally are is bad? Smoking used to be cool too (and was recommended by doctors), but now we know better.

Unless you're wearing a sweatshirt and a face mask, tanning beds are not safe. Be safe. Be your normal color.

HAHAH Samantha oh please do!!! Lol And @amy v you are right on the money, I wasnt looking for deeply rooted passionate thread about the world of tanning, i just didnt want to look like an idiot to the people behind the counter when I have to ask how it works lol

LMFAO @ Samantha. I'm peeing myself.

And Megan, long story short, I used to tan a fair amount when I was in my mid 20s. It actually helped clear up some of my acne, BUT I was safe about it. I wore SPF 15-30, not the "accelerators." Actually, some of the tanning lotion made my skin feel like it was cooking. A lot of people are also under the false belief that you don't get color if you use suntan lotion. Yes, you still do get color. You're just preventing yourself from getting burnt, and protecting yourself against the rays. I'm not against tanning for events and stuff, as long as you wear something with some SPF. Even though I wore sun tan lotion, I had a cancerous mole removed :-/ So just try to use something strong that protects you, is my suggestion. I won't jump down your throat about it

Wow, I am so shocked at how popular this is! They are in the processes of actually making tanning beds ILLEGAL in Australia, and I believe they have actually already passed it in my state. None of my friends or anyone I know has used a tanning bed, if we tan we get spray tans.

Skin cancer is the #1 killer in Australia, and most of our parents have had skin cancer, so we know the risks. We all get annual skin checks to try to get onto these things early.

Thank you Leanna for calling Sam out! The world health organisation are definitely the ones to be listening to.

I don't get the point of using the tanning beds just because they are free if it turns out bad then well medical care isn't free in America.

@Megan, I know you don't want the lecture, but please consider why there are so many people warning against it... and why an entire country could be banning them!