about pale skin?

[Thurlow]

I'm down south, so it's going to be baking today. I'm not wearing tights, which is perfectly acceptable in our office.

Now I'm as pale as they come, especially my legs. I just don't tan at all.

I have had TWO comments already today from people - "blimey, you're brave, getting your legs out when they are so white!" Both from colleagues who were wearing dresses with no tights themselves, so it wasn't even a subtle dig at that. One then started a conversation about whether or not I'd considered fake tan.

Why is pale skin seen as so bad? Why shouldn't pale people wear skirts and dresses the same? Why should we go through all the faff and cost of fake tanning?

First world problem, I know, but it's really irritated me not already grumpy with the heat and crappy air conditioning

Oh okay.

You need some Vitamin D (i.e. sunshine) to prevent bandy legs.

Vitamin D deficiency and the cases of rickets in children are rising due to lack of sun exposure. Partly because we just don't get sun in the UK and partly because children don't get enough sun exposure anymore. 15-20 minutes is enough before applying sun creams and covering up.

My rheumatologist tested me for vit D deficiency recently, she said she is seeing an "epidemic" of it ooop North.

I've been tested, all fine. I don't get much sun at all. I take a vit D supplement now anyway as it improves my skin.

Is this threading swaying towards the "Why don't you pale types get some sun?" area? Because I think we covered that earlier...

Thing with us pale types is that we really don't need as much sun. That's why we're pale - evolved to live in a northern climate and need comparatively little exposure to be able to metabolism sufficient vitamin D.

You need to build up enough supplies of vit D to take you through the winter and that's harder than you think. Vit d deficiency is also stronly linked to depression as well as countless other conditions that extend well beyond rickets.

We don't need to spend as much time in the sun to make vit d as darker skinned folk do, though. It's only a few minutes daily also, apparently. Not sunbathing or prolonged sun exposure (I know nobody said so)

You get vit D from other sources in winter, I thought, like our diet.

TripTrap I find it hilarious that it's not ok to say anything about a black persons skin colour but people can say what they like about pale skin!!!!

Exactly. And blond hair.

It's possible in theory to get enough from dietary sourse but evn then scientist are increasingly of the opinion that the healthy range in the blood is on the low side, so you certainly don't want to be skating on the low side of normal. think from what I've read the body prefers to convert Vit D from the sun, can't quite remember why though - so although i take Vit D suppliments i try to get out in the sun as much as possible. Prebiosly I didn't know that the winter sun was not strong enough to cause a reaction and i also didnt ever think about how much i covered up in the sun, my face and hands only and i wore an spf on my face. The importance of Vit D has not been fully acknowledged as yet....we're still influenced by the fear of skin cancer. But ironically Vit D actually protects you from the deadly type of skin cancer to see the other danger emerging and getting worse due to modern living habit and sunscreen.
I'm just throwing this out to you - if you're interested, if you feel tired and a bit down after the winter especially, if you immunity is low, if you have unexplained health conditions go read up on it, get a blood test - it is surprsingly common, it's the elephant in the room.

And remember 15-20mins might be enough but you need legs and arms exposed.

Vit D supplements cured my psoriasis a few years ago so I'm a convert.

Im the same as OP and crazy pale and used to be too scared to get my legs out. In the end I went to malaysia for 4 months and it was crazy how much attention I got for being so pale because they absolutely loved it. Instilled a massive bout of confidence :D

I'm pale as they come too - get the same comments but quite frankly I like being this colour, English rose and all that.

Tanned people look nice too but when your skin is the colour of leather yiu need to stop...

"Thing with us pale types is that we really don't need as much sun. That's why we're pale - evolved to live in a northern climate and need comparatively little exposure to be able to metabolism sufficient vitamin D."

I read an article in a newspaper a few years back that suggested it might be beneficial for African people living in Britain to use sunbeds in wintertime to get their vitamin D quota, due to it not really being sunny enough here for darker skin types.

I'm v pale & I don't mind it. It's who I am. What I do mind is my veiny, blotchy legs & how quickly I burn, I'd like to be a little more resilient. Re the legs mine look a little better with Sally Hansen airbrush legs if going to a special occasion. Most fake tans are too dark & smell funny, then you get blotches etc & it's just too much effort!! I'm pregnant at mo & not sure if fake tan is safe so been getting my freshly waxed legs out in all their pale & veiny glory, I don't really care!!

I got sunburnt yesterday on my shoulders . We were sat in the shade having a picnic, then a small walk in park. I put on my sun cream a bit late & they are red!! We are meeting friends for drinks later, possibly outside, so am covering up & if I've hot some factor 50 sticking that on. Normally stay out of sun & use 30. Has anyone found a 50 that isn't horribly gloopy & sticky. Was thinking of trying one of those aerosol sprays.

I lived in China a while back & it was a total eye opener. All of the main western brands, Avon, Clinique etc all do skin whitening brands. I was choosing a moisturiser in a shop once & a woman grabbed my hand to stroke it and told me I was v white & v beautiful she then put the same brand if moisturiser in her basket!! I think basically the beauty industry makes money out of us being unhappy with the way we are, therefore they tell us we need to be the opposite so we will spend time & money going after this ideal. I felt quite empowered after coming back from there.

I've never had comments about my milky-white legs and I would laugh it off if I did.

I wish my legs would tan. Already my arms and shoulders are really brown and my legs which I have been exposing, in the garden and trying to wear skirts, are still lilly white. I look like a farmer.

"Has anyone found a 50 that isn't horribly gloopy & sticky. Was thinking of trying one of those aerosol sprays."

This is the best stuff I have ever used if I'm out all day in the sun.

www.boots.com/en/Nivea-Sun-Childrens-Coloured-Spray-SPF50-1-x-200ml_22317/

The spray ones are the best for non-stickiness. I like the garnier clear spray. No stickiness all.

I had a look around at what people were wearing yesterday and noticed a lot of people with pale skin on show. All ages but particularly late teens. Very glad they don't feel like they need to use fake tan or cover up. Also feel more confident about wearing shorts myself.

Fake tan just makes me think of Madge.

I am an English woman and proud of my pale skin and freckles .

Why on earth why would anyone use fake tan to look like they have been digging up vegetables all day

Thanks mademan for the recommendation. Do you find the colour a problem with staining clothes/fabric? I was out today with my pale legs but actually put a bit of face makeup on the veins on the back of my legs, seemed to help a bit!

I find sun lotion blocks my pores and brings me out in a rash. I tend to go for a lower amount of protection which doesn't make me itch and then cover up.

After I've got my Vit D for the day.