Self Tanners

SLaBM2B · February 2013

I've never read previous posts on this subject, and I wish I did b/c now I need to know what kind of products I can use.

I am SUPER white.. I mean, ridiculously so, and I normally spray tan during the spring/summer months. Am I allowed to spray tan? If not, what products can I use?

Last year, for my wedding, I tanned in the beds so my spray tan wouldn't melt away on my wedding gown, but this year, I obviously can't do that.

Any and all suggestions would be great! Thanks!

CCR630 · February 2013

I asked my doc really early on and he told me no lotions

BUT I will say this. I fully intend to use it just once, before my baby shower. I'm not looking huge and white in those pictures lol

heavenpaige · February 2013

My Dr says no spray tans or lotions. And def no tanning beds. I think every Dr is different.

duffmaker · February 2013

You can spray tan, you can tan too... if you're as white as me then you probably can't stay in for long anyway (I literally have to start at 2mins and very very slowly add a minute at a time, it takes me about a month of going every other day to build a base and I think my absolute max has only been 8mins).

As long as you aren't baking for 10+mins you're okay. Also shop around, a lot of beds now have air conditioners to keep your body temp down... the stand up booths are better too because they have MUCH better air circulation and you can easily hop out from the lights for a minute.

I don't recommend a single self-tanner lotion, they all look AWFUL unless you have a good base/skin tone to begin with... then they are good for enhancing it but to start from pure white? Absolutely no, you'll just look awful. So, if you aren't comfortable tanning or doing a spray tan, just deal with the white for a few more months. Right now that's what I'm doing because I just don't have the time to go tanning or the money to spray tan.

ETA: If you do use a tanning salon, most places (unless it's just NY) will require a doctor's release before they will let you tan after 20 or 24wks (something like that), they also don't allow you to go in for longer than a certain amount of time (much lower than their normal max) which I've noticed varies on the salon you use.

JBMarq3 · February 2013

I was actually just wondering this the other day. I think I will do the Mystic spray tan... BUT, I will definitely research it first.

MrsKatie07 · February 2013

I will never again in my life go in a tanning bed and I now always wear sunscreen when I'll be outside for more than about 10 minutes. I am almost as pasty as you can get, but I know far too many young people, many in their 20's, with melanoma and one is actually dying from it. I was terrified to go to my dermatologist appointment last summer because I have tanned in beds a lot in the past but I checked out ok. Sorry for the downer, but that being said, I do plan to use my self-tanning mousse once it warms up here. I never bare my legs without it due to their ultra-pastiness, and I've read about tanning lotions and from what I've gathered they only penetrate the first layer or two of skin and don't reach the blood flow.

Btw, I use St. Tropez Self Tanning Bronzing Mousse for my regular stuff of their Wash Off Instant Glow Mousse if I just need it quick for the day. I am seriously pasty and it is expensive but the only thing I've found that goes on even and looks very natural. I highly recommend!

SLaBM2B · February 2013

MrsKatie07:

I will never again in my life go in a tanning bed and I now always wear sunscreen when I'll be outside for more than about 10 minutes. I am almost as pasty as you can get, but I know far too many young people, many in their 20's, with melanoma and one is actually dying from it. I was terrified to go to my dermatologist appointment last summer because I have tanned in beds a lot in the past but I checked out ok. Sorry for the downer, but that being said, I do plan to use my self-tanning mousse once it warms up here. I never bare my legs without it due to their ultra-pastiness, and I've read about tanning lotions and from what I've gathered they only penetrate the first layer or two of skin and don't reach the blood flow.

Btw, I use St. Tropez Self Tanning Bronzing Mousse for my regular stuff of their Wash Off Instant Glow Mousse if I just need it quick for the day. I am seriously pasty and it is expensive but the only thing I've found that goes on even and looks very natural. I highly recommend!

it IS expensive (I just googled it)... How often do you have to replenish and how often do you apply?

iggles09 · February 2013

I wouldn't do spray tans or self tanners personally. The fumes would be too much for me to handle in the mystic and I would be worried about what chemicals are leaching through my skin with even the lotions.

BLT20051 · February 2013

iggles09:
I wouldn't do spray tans or self tanners personally. The fumes would be too much for me to handle in the mystic and I would be worried about what chemicals are leaching through my skin with even the lotions.

This.

Plus, I'm a pasty ginger and even most make ups turn me orange so it just isn't worth looking like a pumpkin to me. I'm learning to embrace the pale.

jefk · February 2013

I use Clarins self tanning gel. It's pricey but it doesn't smell and works wonders. The drugstore brands never work for me - they reek and turn me orange. I'm attending a wedding in April and I plan on using it to bronze up a little.

Dani318 · February 2013

I always use Loreal sublime mixed with regular lotion during the spring until I gt my actual tan from the summer. I am in a wedding march 8th and plan on doing this so I don't look so horrible next to all the other skinny tan bridesmaids. I wish I was gonna see my doctor between now and then and ask her approval.

MrsKatie07 · February 2013

SLaBM2B:
MrsKatie07:

I will never again in my life go in a tanning bed and I now always wear sunscreen when I'll be outside for more than about 10 minutes. I am almost as pasty as you can get, but I know far too many young people, many in their 20's, with melanoma and one is actually dying from it. I was terrified to go to my dermatologist appointment last summer because I have tanned in beds a lot in the past but I checked out ok. Sorry for the downer, but that being said, I do plan to use my self-tanning mousse once it warms up here. I never bare my legs without it due to their ultra-pastiness, and I've read about tanning lotions and from what I've gathered they only penetrate the first layer or two of skin and don't reach the blood flow.

Btw, I use St. Tropez Self Tanning Bronzing Mousse for my regular stuff of their Wash Off Instant Glow Mousse if I just need it quick for the day. I am seriously pasty and it is expensive but the only thing I've found that goes on even and looks very natural. I highly recommend!

it IS expensive (I just googled it)... How often do you have to replenish and how often do you apply?

Sorry, I didn't see this until now, but I put it on 3-4 days in a row to get the tan I want then about every 4-6 days. One bottle lasted me most of the summer last summer.

ChristyD6 · February 2013

Dani318:
I always use Loreal sublime mixed with regular lotion during the spring until I gt my actual tan from the summer. I am in a wedding march 8th and plan on doing this so I don't look so horrible next to all the other skinny tan bridesmaids. I wish I was gonna see my doctor between now and then and ask her approval.

I love Loreal Sublime too! It actually looks really on with my skin tone. I haven't used any yet this pregnancy, but I may ask my OB about it tomorrow at my appt bc it's getting close to beach season!

Dani318 · February 2013

Christy, let me know what your doctor says tomorrow! I'm still hesitant but can't be this white for the wedding

SLaBM2B · February 2013

ChristyD6:
Dani318:
I always use Loreal sublime mixed with regular lotion during the spring until I gt my actual tan from the summer. I am in a wedding march 8th and plan on doing this so I don't look so horrible next to all the other skinny tan bridesmaids. I wish I was gonna see my doctor between now and then and ask her approval.
I love Loreal Sublime too! It actually looks really on with my skin tone. I haven't used any yet this pregnancy, but I may ask my OB about it tomorrow at my appt bc it's getting close to beach season!

i just bought some and used it. I used it for two summers on my face, chest, neck and arms. My H just said: That stuff stinks. I don't want you using it anymore. I said: I'm fat and pregnant. I refuse t be pale as well, so deal with it.

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