Using Sunbeds to prevent sunburn

[inmynewera]

More Am I Being Ridiculous than Unreasonable.

I’ve always had fair skin.

When I was in my 20’s / early 30’s, I would thinking nothing of using a sunbed for a base tan before going on holiday or throughout the summer. Not a lot but maybe two or three times a week for a few weeks leading up to something.

Bit older and wiser and stopped using sunbeds for years now. What I’m finding though, is my skin is getting burnt more easily now. The last couple of trips abroad, I’ve religiously applied factor 50 every hour or so and burnt badly very quickly. This weekend with it being sunny, I sat outside with myself completely covered (where I was sat, there was no shade and I had a jacket with me), apart from a small part of my chest / neck was visible . I applied factor 50 and I’d say within 20-30 mins that small patch was burning.

So it’s not that I want to have an amazing tan, I would honestly just like to be able to sit in sunshine safely!

Do you think it’s ok to have a few sessions in a sunbed (stand up booths not lay down beds) to get the base tan and see if it helps my skin to not burn?

Or any other suggestions as sometimes it is just hot and sunny. My forearms felt like they were burning just from driving today!

I definitely feel like it’s getting worse too.

No way. Can not believe that anyone would even consider doing this with all the information that's available and the warning that are given. It's shocking that you'd have to think about it.

Surely you sunburn easily because you’ve damaged your skin using sunbeds? Why would you increase your cancer risk even further? Wear light airy clothes and listen to your body. Have you tried different brands of sun cream to see if some work better for you than others?

The idea of a base tan is a myth. A tan means exposure to UV rays which have caused the skin to react to the damage. It's not going to stop you burning, I've seen that the protection it offers is about the same as SPF 4.
My auntie used sunbeds like it was her religion in the 1990s and early 2000s . She never burned but she's also have 5 melanomas removed as well.

The SPF protection of a base tan and the myth is stops you burning is here

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/problem-tanning-myth-base-tan-2017041211528

If you are getting burnt even with factor 50 on, I really don’t think a sunbed is a good idea (!).

I think you just have to accept you aren’t someone who can get a tan, and sit in the shade / wear long sleeves.

I think a lot of fair skinned people just eventually come to this conclusion, and I suppose as you age your skin probably is more sensitive as it does change.

Base fan is a compete myth

No but I used to do the same OP!
I don’t burn as much as you, I have fair skin but I think 1 x application of factor 50 would stop me burning for week. What I have found though is that if I have fake tan on I don’t burn. I know there are no SPFs in fake tan so Christ knows how it stops me burning but could you try a bit of fake tan under the factor 50 to see if it makes any difference?

I know sunbeds are bad for you and I have never used them before, however, I always burn and thought I would see if it made a difference.
I went 5 times to the sunbeds and have just returned from Alicante yesterday. I never burned once and am a fabulous colour. I will use them again but only for a very short time.

If you have very pale skin then maybe you shouldn't be sat in full sun for very long. I would day not all factor 50's are created equal and you need to apply a lot more suncream than most people think. You should also apply it 30 mins before going out side. Have you tried the ultrasun factor 50....it is significantly better than most other suncream I've used (I am blonde and will burn without suncream).

If you enjoy the thought of skin cancer and cataracts in your 30s go for it.

You can still burn, I used subbed 2 years ago for the same reason, I was going to a hot country with really high uv, I prepared by going on sunbeds around 3 months before, I still burned from the sunbeds even after a few minutes, whilst I was away I still burned, I didn’t even develop a normal tan, for me I was tanned, compared to how normal people tan, I was not tanned. I don’t think it’s even worth it to be honest. What I did learn the year after was start with sun cream factor 50 then gradually decrease the factor after a few days and that helped the most.

Posting from 1983 - Yes, ace idea, OP!😃

I never burned once and am a fabulous colour.

Tanned skin is damaged skin. Don’t delude yourself that it is any less dangerous than burning.

They should be illegal.

I have fair skin. I try and stay that way. Sunburn is damaged skin. As is a tan really. I work in cancer care. The statistics for melanoma are shocking. More young people are being diagnosed with it.

Someone link that pale Irish sunburn lady thread from a couple weeks ago, she ended up in hospital.

Using sun beds 2 or 3 times a week is not occasional use..I am a blue eyed blond, have had skin cancer removed twice and boy do they remove a big piece,an inch either side. Lady year one on my chest incredibly painful, and a long recovery period. Permanent scaring..I have found since I got older, I can tolerate a lot less heat and direct sun..I now use a fake tan,sit in the sun a while, then in the shade. The lovely young consultant at my last hospital died of melanoma leaving 2 young children.

Why would you knowingly damage your skin?

Apart from higher risk of skin cancer, it prematurely ages your skin.

Nope. Crazy idea.

They are so dangerous. I cannot believe they are still legal in this country.

I think you just need to stop lying out in the sun for hours. Lie under an umbrella. Factor 50 will be fine for walking around, I am pale and ginger and it's fine for me - you just can't be lying right in the sun for hours and hours.

Dont damage your skin try beta carotene gummies they change the colour of your skin after about a fortnight. You produce more melanin so this will jelp when you go in the sun.

You're clearly not that young. Stop being stupid. I'm fair and burn easily. Just plenty of protection on. Have a spray tan.

Replace the term ‘base tan’ or ‘tan’ with ‘sun damage’.

You need to stay out of the sun!

Or "pre-melanoma conditioning"

Shade and cover up. I managed to spend 10 days in Egypt without even getting a tan by covering up, wearing a broad brimmed hat, and using factor 50. Of course, that was up and about seeing the sights, and seeking the shade in the middle of the day, not broiling like a lobster on a sunbed.