Does anyone use suncream on a sunbed??

[fudge747]

Sorry folks I've got a really silly question but I am trying to get a base tan before my hols, and my second session at the sunbed place left me pink around my tummy and chest. The rest of me is fine. I don't want this to happen again, so I wondered, does suncream work on sunbeds in the same way as it does in the sun? I though I could use it to protect those more sensitive areas? I won't be wearing a bikini on hols anyway, it's my legs and arms that need a little colour! Or should I just wear a vest??
Please don't judge me for wanting a tan, it's my one weakness!

why on earth would anyone think that eating organic vegetables and wearing a sun hat would prevent breast cancer?! There isn't very much you can do to prevent breast cancer which is why we focus on early detection, however there very obviously IS something you can do to prevent skin cancer so why on earth would you deliberately expose yourself to that risk?

Don't understand why anybody would do this! Bad health risks for sheer vanity.

Sun cream doesn't help with sunbeds. I would recommend using a light tanning lotion or a moisturiser for a week before you go on holiday if you have a sensitive skin.

Look OP you're clearly NOT aware of the risks - you don't even understand the basics, as if you did, you wouldn't be on here asking 'if it's the same as normal sunlight'.

No, it isn't. It's far more dangerous and that's why there are various campaigns afoot to get sunbeds banned completely, and why melanoma is one of the fastest rising cancers in younger people.

You are, in fact, being incredibly stupid. I'll judge you for that alone, and for failing to listen to people who do know what they are talking about.

A bit of colour may be all you're aiming for but using a sunbed carries an enormous risk - in fact it's probably the single most dangerous thing you can do, if you're going to try and get yourself skin cancer.

You do realise that melanoma isn't just a mole, that you can have removed? It can be just that but you might not realise anything is wrong until it's already in your system, and unfortunately, once it's got into your lymph system or bloodstream, you've a pretty poor chance of survival.

Someone I was close to died 9 months from diagnosis, and her children were 5 and 2.

I def judge every smoker I come across. It is gross.

As you were
apologies to slighted smokers

If you genuinely knew the risks OP you wouldn't even be going on once, let alone 'just a few times'.

Every summer I am shocked at how many people still don't understand the risks of sunbathing and sunbeds. If you are worried about strong sunlight in a different country, I suggest loose, light clothing, a hat and high SPF cream or lotion. If you want a tan, then use a self tanning cream or have a spray tan. They are very good these days as long as you don't go overboard. Yet there are still, without fail, people wandering round in the sunshine with red shoulders and backs, thinking it's the easiest way to go brown.

There are a lot of very ignorant people about sadly. People who say 'yes I'm burned but in a few days I'll be brown!' like it's a clever trick or something.

The thing you want to avoid is sudden, intense exposure to strong sunlight/UV (including sunbeds). So staying in the UK most of the time, covered up, then going somewhere really hot and exposing bits that never see daylight normally, for a week or two, seems to be a big risk factor.

Most melanomas are in places that are usually covered up. People who work outdoors and are regularly exposed to sunlight are more at risk of the less dangerous cancers - squamous cell and basal cell.

It's quite interesting.

A sun tan is skin damage, not just sun burn. It is not attractive.

I have pale skin, moles and light brown hair. I have had 3 moles removed. I never sunbathe (boring), but have lived in hot countries so have been caught out and unfortunately got burnt.

I now wear a minimum of factor 30 (a once a day one) every day. Even in winter. I increase to factor 50 if necessary.

Please don't use sun beds, you are not getting a base tan to protect your skin, you are damaging your skin at a cellular level.

OP, as others have posted, try going on for shorter bursts (3 mins max), I'm guessing it'll only be a few sessions before you go, right? Have a lovely holiday.

Just RTFT and there are some really rude posts directed at OP

Am aware of risks but am going to be away for five weeks in a very hot country, so just need to prepare my skin for the difference between here and there.

The way to prepare your skin is to wear a high factor broad spectrum sunscreen and reapply every 2 hours, or after swimming. This is even more important with the kids. This is in the UK BTW.

When abroad you should be doing the above plus staying completely out of the sun in the hotter parts if the day. There's a load of useful info here: www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/sun-uv-and-cancer

Having a mole biopsy leaves a pretty unsightly scar, and melanoma is one of the more aggressive cancers.

I'm fully aware that this post is incredibly patronising, but your posts show that, despite your assertions, that you are not properly comprehending the risks.

Like others on this thread I have had a melanoma removed, and TBH I've been (fingers crossed) bloody lucky. And that's with no sun bed use, and a minimal amount of sunburn in my life.

Using a sun bed is essentially irradiating yourself. Like being unnecessarily exposed to an X-ray. 87% of melanomas are avoidable, there really is no reasonable argument for using a subbed at all.