Sun bed for legs only?

[Llamasally]

I know this sounds ridiculous but my legs just do not tan compared to the rest of my body. Fake tan is a nightmare which I have to sporadically give into but never looks right. If I went on a sun bed a few times clothed with a cover over my face and just legs showing would this still be super harmful if I am generally very careful in the sun, wear factor 50 most of the year etc??

Reading it back it sounds even more ridiculous but I really am self conscious about this!

You wouldn't wear clothing on a sunbed as clothing doesn't provide protection. You would need to apply SPF to the rest of your body apart from your legs and use a lie down sunbed. Why don't you try a gradual tanning lotion just on your legs or a spray tan instead?

Please don't! I've recently had my fifth skin cancer removed due to sun bed use and that one was on my leg.

I have scars on my back, chest, shoulder and now leg due to surgery and freezing treatment and my Dermatologist knows I will develop more in future.

Sun beds should be banned they are literally deadly.

I used sunbeds regularly when I was young and sunbathed using baby oil. My skin is fine, way better than it should be at 53. I'm by no means unusual in my generation. Most of my friends did the same. None look aged, none have had skin cancer.
Obviously we know more about the risks now. But that's what it is, a risk, not a certainty; so you need to understand what that risk is for your skin type, how it can be minimised, and then decide if its worth it.

Can you get a spray tan instead

I would go on the sunbed and put factor 70 on your body but factor 30 on your legs.

I’m trained in spray tans.

Legs, especially the shins/lower legs are extremely hard to tan, both with natural sun light and fake tan.

My advice is to stay away from sun beds

Use a gradual tan on them. I use “Garnier Summer Body” and “Dove DermaSpa Summer Revived” both in dark. (Obviously not at the same time😂)

If you have a spray tan, ask for an extra layer on your legs.

I remember seeing sun beds just for the legs in the early 00s. Don’t do it though OP. I think I remember reading that legs are the most common place for skin cancer in women. It’s just not worth it. Try and find a good fake tan instead.

I know what you mean though, my calves always stay ghostly white, it’s depressing.

Don't go on the sun bed. It's asking for cancer - there are literally thousands of tanning options that are not cancer linked. Just don't.

Get a gradual tanner OP, they’re great

I’ve tried loads of gradual tanners, unfortunately which all seem to give me patchy ankles, brown feet and have zero affect on my legs!

had a spray tan once, legs looked good for about a day, then see above.

I didn’t know that though about skin cancer cases often appearing on legs. Back to the drawing board I think…

*effect not affect

I’ve tried loads of gradual tanners, unfortunately which all seem to give me patchy ankles, brown feet and have zero affect on my legs!

You need to prep the skin better. Making sure you properly exfoliate dry/rough areas. Moisturise the skin everyday leading up the application. Use a barrier cream around the ankles, toes, feet. (Vaseline works well). Use a deeper shade on your legs/areas that don’t take to tan well. Using a mitt/tanning glove to ensure even application and avoids orangey hands. Then daily moisturising over the tanned areas.

My mum had skin cancer on her shin. The resulting removal makes her look like she’s been attacked by a shark. Trust me - you’d be far more self conscious.
don’t do it.

Please don't do if.

I completely understand why you'd want to do it.

I'm not saying tanning lotions/sprays are necessarily good for us - I shouldn't think they are but, at present, most likely a lot less harmful than sunbeds.

So a gradual tanning lotion might be a better alternative.

Have you tried Palmers gradual tan in dark? It's about the only one I get on with. But it's better to prepare beforehand as mentioned above, exfoliate and moisturise with extra care around feet and knees and elbows. When I use it, I choose a day when not leaving the house for about 8-10 hours and reapply 4 times. I wear a loose jumpsuit. Afterwards I shower and moisturise. And am ready. You can top up with just one application 5-7 days later, remember to moisturise every day though.

I don’t like gradual tanners either for the smell, but I’ve been trying Perfect Legs by This Works lately and it’s great - just a very subtle tanner with no smell or mess

My legs sound like yours! It took me a while to work out gradual tan lotion without the streaks and brown knees/ankles. Now I use Summer Garnier (deep tan) all summer:

Moisturise legs a well for couple of days before.
Shave and then exfoliate with a glove and soap/bodywash in the shower.
Apply a thin layer of gradual fake tan straight away but do not use any other moisturiser.
Wait till fully dried before wearing trousers or getting into bed.

Do this for a few days and let the team build gradually^^.

Don't use a sunbed, they should be illegal! Get a spray tan or use a gradual tanner on just your legs. I like the dove derma-spa, though if you want it to be more noticeable make sure you get the darker shade.

I’ll give the better prep method a try. It all seems very time consuming :(

Fake tan is very time consuming. For little return imo.

But better than sunbeds!

Have you tried Sally Hansen Legs? Buy a tanning mitt then spray the mitt not your leg then apply in a circular motion like cleaning a surface.
Instant perfect leg tan. If it's a botch job it comes off easy with a flannel in the shower. But it won't be because it does do a good job and only takes minutes to apply. Use a shade that looks a bit darker than you want on the container, some have a hint of sparkle.

My legs never tanned but I started to get them out hairy even in the winter sun even though it was cold but it's helped them to tan having a bit of sun all around

How often do you have your legs on show? Sally Hansen Airbrush legs is good but it washes off (fine in rain though). I'm Irish and my legs are several shades paler than my arms and chest. I just use the spray when wearing skirts or dresses.