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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to use sunbeds instead of fake tan?

184 replies

Wantachangefor2024 · 17/06/2024 18:44

As a way of focusing on myself, I’m losing weight and making myself a better version of me. Due to getting so large I have bad stretchmarks. Am I unreasonable to use sunbeds as they actually blend the stretch marks more. I find fake tan doesn’t stain the skin the same and makes them stand out more! Really trying to make an effort. Get a colour. Lose weight. Dye my hair. I’m on a mission to regain my confidence through my appearance I’m thinking once I’ve lost the weight in a year to reward myself with veneers and a breast uplift with implants. So yes to fake boobs, tanned and blonde or no stay natural, brunette and pale

OP posts:
frogswimming · 17/06/2024 19:09

Yabu. My best friend died of skin cancer aged 39.

Where are your stretch marks and how much surface do they cover? Are you talking about wearing a swimsuit or in clothes, or worried about a partner seeing them?

I personally would use tan, dye my hair lose weight. No one's completely perfect. You'll still improve your appearance.

LutonBeds · 17/06/2024 19:08

TBH, no tan has ever hidden my stretch marks though. I’m old now and try not to care.

SugarandSpiceandAllThingsNaice · 17/06/2024 19:07

Wantachangefor2024 · 17/06/2024 19:05

Thank you. I’ve had some white ones since puberty when I had a growth spurt so they are old! But I’ll try your recommendation, thank you. Will fake work on them after?

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The gradual tanning lotion works on mine. They are barely noticeable.

5475878237NC · 17/06/2024 19:06

How will you feel about your appearance with a hole in your face from cancer? Why add to the risk?

Original poster
Wantachangefor2024 · 17/06/2024 19:05

SugarandSpiceandAllThingsNaice · 17/06/2024 19:02

You probably need some scar revision gel so they fade into normal skin tone with a slight silvery appearance. The white stage is in the middle. UV is going to hinder them healing towards that too.

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Thank you. I’ve had some white ones since puberty when I had a growth spurt so they are old! But I’ll try your recommendation, thank you. Will fake work on them after?

OP posts:
Original poster
Wantachangefor2024 · 17/06/2024 19:04

uhOhOP · 17/06/2024 18:59

Yes, you are being unreasonable, unless skin damage is your aim. You're also being unreasonable in your last sentence – you can dye your hair and get your breast uplift AND be not pale...

Which part is unreasonable? I think doing things that make me the best version of myself and changes can make you feel great. Nothing wrong with being pale and brunette. I just want to try out being blonde and tanned

OP posts:
LutonBeds · 17/06/2024 19:04

It’s up to you, I used to use them all the time and I expect I’ll pay for it one way or another. However, fake tan ALWAYS looks fake. Even when I’ve had ‘professional’ ones it looks shit and it’s very obvious I’m wearing fake tan. They all seem to have an orange base, they all settle badly in creases like elbows, knees and knuckles too. There’s also usually a white area around the hairline too.

I no longer do either and just try not to care that I’m paler than a ream of A4.

SugarandSpiceandAllThingsNaice · 17/06/2024 19:02

Wantachangefor2024 · 17/06/2024 19:00

Yours are probably not white. When they turn white they become like scar tissue. The fake tans I have bought don’t stick to them! X

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You probably need some scar revision gel so they fade into normal skin tone with a slight silvery appearance. The white stage is in the middle. UV is going to hinder them healing towards that too.

Waltdisnerd · 17/06/2024 19:00

Bondi sands is also the best fake tan! I've tried them all 😂

Original poster
Wantachangefor2024 · 17/06/2024 19:00

fluffychihuahuas · 17/06/2024 18:54

I'm 2 months pp with awful stretch marks 2 layers of st moriz dark with dark gradual tan applied everyday covers them completely i wouldn't use sunbeds not worth it x

Yours are probably not white. When they turn white they become like scar tissue. The fake tans I have bought don’t stick to them! X

OP posts:
uhOhOP · 17/06/2024 18:59

Yes, you are being unreasonable, unless skin damage is your aim. You're also being unreasonable in your last sentence – you can dye your hair and get your breast uplift AND be not pale...

Original poster
Wantachangefor2024 · 17/06/2024 18:58

Alwaystired2023 · 17/06/2024 18:53

Can you do it all apart from the sunbeds? You'll look amazing OP

If I could find a fake one that didn’t make the stretch marks stand out a mile I’d definitely opt for the fake option. And thank you for replying! Hopefully I will x

OP posts:
Original poster
Wantachangefor2024 · 17/06/2024 18:56

lovemycbf · 17/06/2024 18:52

I've never used sun beds and am currently waiting for an appointment with a plastic surgeon to have a basal cell carcinoma skin cancer removed from my face which will leave in the words of the consultant significant scarring
It's just not worth the risk ,have you looked into the spray tans that do your whole body? It would be safer

I wish you the best for your surgery and a speedy recovery. I guess you are putting things into perspective. I’m actually translucent im that pale and have really clear pale skin as I’ve never been in the sun so had no damage. My mum always slathered me in spf from being young as she lived abroad so knows the dangers so I’ve always applied spf to my face and body religiously

OP posts:
SugarandSpiceandAllThingsNaice · 17/06/2024 18:55

I used sun beds back before we knew they were so awful for you. At the time, they were considered to be safer than getting a tan via sunbathing. And it was said a base tan from a sun bed prevented sunburn. It sounds stupid now, but that is how it was.

I have had skin cancer 4x time. Twice were melanomas. I am high risk to keep developing skin cancer.

Please don’t be me. Learn from my mistake.

Stretch marks are nothing to be ashamed of. I’d rather learn to love them. Tanning is not part of a healthy lifestyle.

BarcardiWithGadaffia · 17/06/2024 18:54

You know the risks and it only affects you so do what you like. You're a grown adult, you can compare the two options

fluffychihuahuas · 17/06/2024 18:54

I'm 2 months pp with awful stretch marks 2 layers of st moriz dark with dark gradual tan applied everyday covers them completely i wouldn't use sunbeds not worth it x

Original poster
Wantachangefor2024 · 17/06/2024 18:54

lovemycbf · 17/06/2024 18:52

I've never used sun beds and am currently waiting for an appointment with a plastic surgeon to have a basal cell carcinoma skin cancer removed from my face which will leave in the words of the consultant significant scarring
It's just not worth the risk ,have you looked into the spray tans that do your whole body? It would be safer

I’d love to use a spray tan but the fake tans I’ve bought have made my stretch marks really stand out. Whether a professional spray tan would make a difference

OP posts:
LikeABondVillanDipshit · 17/06/2024 18:54

Even one sunbed session can increase your risk of developing squamous cell skin cancer by 67% and basal cell skin cancer by 29%. Even more importantly is the increased risk of melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. If you have ever used a sunbed your risk of melanoma increases by 20%.

Whatevershallidowithmylife · 17/06/2024 18:54

Apart from the obvious reasons not to use sunbeds, a happier you comes from the inside not the outside.

Whitesapphire · 17/06/2024 18:53

It’s your choice and plenty of people do it. I don’t think yabu. I stick with the bottles though because I’m scared of premature aging.

Alwaystired2023 · 17/06/2024 18:53

Can you do it all apart from the sunbeds? You'll look amazing OP

DoAWheelie · 17/06/2024 18:53

Seems a bit stupid to spend so much effort getting fitter to improve your health only to tank it again with skin cancer.

Guavafish1 · 17/06/2024 18:53

just get a fake tan

norfolkbroadd · 17/06/2024 18:52

Tanning is the worst thing you can do to your skin. Genuinely. The worst.

Sue152 · 17/06/2024 18:52

I couldn't tell which way to vote in the poll as it's not yes and no, but I vote for be the real you. Get healthy, then spend all the money you've saved by not paying to be fake on a great holiday.