to use a sunbed for 6 sessions before I go on sun hol?

[Irishchic]

It is to prevent me burning as i have not sunbathed in years. Worried about link to cancer with sunbeds, but surely just 6 or so sessions would not be enough to cause that?

Its up to you. I never use them because I don't like the idea, for the same reason I won't sit in the sun for hours

it would be up to you. Sunbeds are dangerous and there is a link to cancer. But saying that many people are still using them.

If you are fair skinned or not used to the sun, then you should also be extra careful when in the sun on hols. i.e high factor cream.

Enjoy your hols though

I definitely would not and agree with Lady1 but also add to be aware of sun from 10am - 3 pm particularly mid day sun.

Why risk it? It won't prevent you burning, it will mean you start your holiday burnt - that can't be fun, surely?

I am very fair-skinned and find that a brimmed hat is one of the best defences you can use. I don't sunbathe, either.

Sunbeds are vicious if you haven't sunbathed for years. All that pale skin goes red at the flick of a switch. :) Agree with the advice to cover up, take high factor sunscreen and seek out the shade. Tans are so last season...

Hate sunbathing generally, so wouldn't have sunbed prep. I do quite like reading on a lounger under a shade with a cold drink though.

I would and am. But then I am bad.

I go on holidays to get a tan. If I didn't get a nice tan I might as well stay in blardy Scotland.

Am aware how irresponsible this makes me.

I am also aware I will look like mother Teresa by the time I am 40

If you burn when on holiday that will be more a risk of cancer than the amount of sunbed use that you are proposing. Any form of exsessive tanning highers the risk. You won't get an agreement on sunbed use even amongst doctors. Tanning once a year is generally fine, imo.

Please don't.

I used them in my late 30's and they aged me almost overnight. Crepy face skin is much uglier than being pale.

It's factor 50 all the way now.

Get a spray tan before you go, so you are not white, then sit in the shade on holiday rather than burn. A sunbed tan will not prevent you from burning on holiday if your skin is not used to hot sun.

As a skin cancer sufferer....YABVVU. The dangers far outweigh the 'benefits' of having a tan and anyway the sunbed tan won't prevent sunburn.

Birds, every medical professional I've ever spoken to about this has been against sunbeds. I think there is a consensus, and there have been moves to get sunbeds banned.

I use sunbeds for before holiday, but I don't kid myself that they will stop me from burning on holiday. They will not.

You can burn on a sunbed, and then burn a week later on holiday.

I very rarely burn, and if I do it's only on my face or chest. I have never burnt my arms or legs, but I have dark colouring, with pale skin.

Just use some factor 15 on holiday. Get one that smells nice and you will be both fragrant and tanned

I am so pale that a friend once said putting me on a sunbed would be the same as putting foil in a microwave

I always do it just to prepare my skin for the sun, mind you I am a pale olive colour anyway. I await a flaming, but would also like to point out that I do not go on holiday 'just' to get a tan.

hmm, food for thought here. If it isnt going to prevent me burning then i probably wont bother as i can always fake tan then hopefully tan slowly with factor.

OP I read that sunbed users are at a 75% higher chance of getting skin cancer.
I used them all the time as a teen/early 20's.
I have a spray tanning machine but never use it.A real tan does look beautiful imo.
I was thinking of having a few sessions before my hol too.When I then see real life sufferers of cancer I feel very .
YANBU it's your body so do whatever you want but please don't get hooked on having courses of sunbed sessions.I don't think 6 sessions is that bad as long as you don't become addicted(like I did!).
Have a lovely holiday!

I have olive skin so never burn, I just like s couple of sun bed sessions before I go away to give me a wee bit of a base.

I probably have 6 sessions a year, and although I do think about the risks, I am a firm believer that if you number is up then there is nothing you can do.

I have had spray tans in the past but they look shit after 4 or 5 days as they go really patchy.

I had 4 weeks of twice daily chemo. It wasn't nice and I am much more likely to suffer more lesions. I urge you all to apply a high SPF and avoid sunbeds. Please.

FTWIW, I always applied SPF 20 and still got skin cancer

and I have olive skin.....it doesn't protect you from the nasties.

So sorry to hear that SwearyMary
How are you now?I wish you a full recovery.

bloodymary? are you mo?

Thank you, I'm ok now. I just have to have check ups etc.