Any sunbed worshippers who can help a ghost out?

[whocanbebothered]

Holiday in approx. 6 weeks. I'm your typical Scottish freckly ghost. I don't see the point in getting fake tan done before I go as it will wash off in the pool. I don't fancy the melatonin sprays/injections as things like that just give me the fear.

So, I was thinking that maybe 1-2 times per week in the 6 week run-up, I could take some sunbeds to hopefully just get me past that really pale stage. FYI; I generally burn on holiday for first 2-3 days and then eventually go golden. I would like to skip the red stage now so that I can get a full 7 days of tanning potential when abroad.

How many minutes do I start with/build up to? Is 1-2 visits a week enough? I'm a skinflint and so I really begrudge buying the sunbed shop oil to apply beforehand, but is it a pointless exercise without their oil?

Any moisturiser will be fine to use. I would say 4 mins first week then 6 if you’re pale. 2/3 times a week would be good.

Honestly, it works because it grills your skin. I feel your pain because I too have that Scottish wraith look! I have found that Spray tans don’t just wash off in the pool honestly- could you not just do one of those before you go and then use a gradual self tanner while you are there?

Trump does sunbeds- surely that’s enough to put you off?

Don't use them, at all. Dangerous horrible things.

Not worth it.

Do not use a sunbed!!! Get the Isle Of Paradise Light tanning drops from Boots and use those gradually in your normal moisturiser and that will give you a nice colour to your skin. It doesn't wash off in the pool at all

Embrace the pale. Skin cancer is horrible.

Moisturise before and start off with 4-5 minutes the first week or two and then build up to 6 minutes and see how you get on

Do you really want to risk skin cancer? You already have an increased risk due to your skin type and the fact that you're saying you 'usually' burn. Just don't do it.

From the NHS...
www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/lifestyle/are-sunbeds-safe/

Particularly relevant :

They recommend you should not use UV tanning equipment if you:

have fair, sensitive skin that burns easily or tans slowly or poorly
have a history of sunburn, particularly in childhood
have lots of freckles and red hair

Saying this with kindness, but it's a really bad idea. Your pale (Celtic?) skin isn't meant to be brown. Sun spot damage and wrinkles which appear 40s+ and skin cancer are not flattering.
I wish I had never sunbathed.

Really not worth the health risks IMO!
I am not a fan of spray tans either as I find them difficult to maintain.
What I like to use on my holidays is a tanning moisturiser, as that way you keep it topped up every day. My favourite is Dove Derma Spa Medium to Dark.

Gaah now you've all put the fear of God into me! Looks like it will need to be one of those gradual tanning moisturisers (I don't like the smell they leave on me, and they stain the sheets) but I suppose if its that or cancer, being stinky is a clear winner

Recommendations welcome for the best ones I have looked up the Dove one mentioned above and it seems reasonably priced so that could be a good shout.

Skinny Tan- although the brand name annoys me so much - is the best I have found. Smells great, easy to apply and doesn't wash off. Great stuff (and I've been through them alllll!)

They are so, so dangerous. I really would reconsider.

Have you tried the coco and eve self tanner? It's so good, and won't wash off in the pool. It's a really natural colour and smells nice.

Isle of paradise is lovely. Follow jules Von hep on insta - he does lots of tutorials about how to apply the different products
I like the tanning drops to top up
Also like most mousses I’ve tried - use a mitt!

Nothing more ageing than the sun/sun beds! I’d rather be a ghost!!

The only thing that puts me off with the moisturiser tanning is that I live alone so I'm going to end up with patches where I can't reach on my back/bum etc. So when I get my bikini on I'll think I look fab but I'll be a patchy mess

The Isle of Paradise looks good but is out my budget I'm afraid. As is skinny tan really. That was the incentive of a sunbed; couple quid here & there is easy to find but sadly I rarely have £10-£15 sitting in the bank for me to spend on "luxury" items like moisturiser haha.

The Dove one only stains my sheets a small amount after I've been applying it for about 5 days+ in a row. It washes out fine though! It does have a scent but it's not the biscuit smell you get with spray tans, I quite like how it smells. It's very cheap on Amazon which is where I buy it from.

If your normal routine is to burn and then go golden then you're already at a significant risk of skin cancer. You've already done the damage.

As a freckled pale person I'm really amazed at the level of ignorance around skin cancer. Even my own Mum tries to get me sit in the sun with no protection to "get a bit of colour." Meanwhile my Dad (they're divorced) has scars all over his face from malignant melanoma removal.

Seriously, get a grip. Embrace your skin the way it and don't become another statistic. It's not worth it.

The st Moritz one is fine! And cheap. Put your mitt on a wooden spoon to do your back

St moritz is about a fiver from boots. And honestly how much were you planning to spend on sunbeds?

No gradual tan I've had stains my sheets. Palmers Coco Butter gradual tanner is my favourite, but recently have been using skinny tan. But why do you need a real tan? It's highly damaging for your skin, especially with your skin type so even a tan from the real sun is a sign of skin damage. DPs mum has just had some treatment for pre-cancerous marks on her face and it's been awful. I slather on the sun cream daily now.

Please don't use a sunbed. I've the same skin type as you by the sounds of it and have had two basal cell carcinomas on my face, both requiring surgery. It's just not worth it.

I just use that Dove gradual tan stuff, I'm not bronzed but am happy enough to go out with bare legs.

I used to go on in my early twenties - I definitely wouldn’t now because I want to minimise wrinkles. As a pp said it literally just grills your skin - I would get a lovely tan but would also smell like a slightly burnt mushroom for the next few days I use garnier gradual tan spray now it works great and I use a lot of sun cream too - people still complement my tan a lot and are surprised when I say it isn’t real.