What are some good practices when it comes to tanning beds?

[Remonster]

My skin is milky white and I want to get a bit of color. But of course I too am scared by all the skin cancer talk. So what is in your opinion a good frequency for visiting a tanning salon? And also maybe some general advice and tips? Like should I use sunscreen on my lips? If you have experience with tanning then I'd love to hear from you!

Updates

+1 y

Just a naturally skeptical person. ;) People and companies try to bullshit you in all aspects of life after all.

[JSmith925]

Avoid them. Salons tell you that the beds only emit Ultraviolet Type "A" (UVA) and this is harmless. Don't believe it. ALL UV rays are dangerous. UVB is just worse.

Any dermatologist will tell you that UV exposure causes rapid aging and predisposes you to melanoma. It does not mean you will get skin cancer but you have a higher risk.
Here is a link from WebMD:
www.webmd.com/.../tanning-myths-whats-true-whats-hype

I have two acquaintances that nearly died of undetected melanoma. One was barely 30. I also know plenty of people my age that tanned and have never gotten cancer. They just look 10-15 years older than me. Yeah, I know it seems confusing. This person says one thing, that one says another. Maybe this will clarify it.

Have you ever watched crime TV? Real life cops usually find the perpetrator by examining who had the most to gain. In other words, follow the money. Finding the truth in everyday life is not much different. If a doctor saves you from skin damage, she makes LESS money. Where is the motive to lie? Meanwhile, tanning salons make a fortune peddling there services. You would not have to be Sherlock Holmes to find the suspect in this drama.

People always justify their vices by saying “Well, you’ve got to die of something.” Sure, but not before your time of something preventable.

Save your money and save your skin.

[Remonster]

Thanks for your reply. I generally am quite a skeptical person and I agree with your assasment. It's also why I never fell for "health" products like Becel because margarine is shit compared to butter, and the company behind the brand pays a lot of money to make sure Becel keeps its reputation as a health food. Recommended by the Dutch heart organization even. Why? Because it costs a lot of money to sleep their logo on your product and Becel is willing to pay for it. Disgusting.

[Remonster]

Sleep = slap

Damn autocorrect. And I will avoid the tanning beds, of course.

[JSmith925]

Asker, I am so glad you were receptive to another point of view. So many people who like tanning simply close their eyes to the facts. Kudos for your rational and open minded assessment.

by the way, a pretty fair replacement for butter is Earth Balance. It is whipped Safflower Oil. It does not reduce your fat intake by much but it has no SATURATED fats. So, it will not help you cut calories but it does NOT contribute to cholesterol.

And THANKS for the MHO!

[Remonster]

Thanks for the great response! I'll definitely check out the Safflower oil, but if it isn't cold-pressed then it may have the same issues as margarine. Cream butter is actually quite healthy despite the saturated fats.

Even cholesterol is scaremongering for the most part according to new research. It may not be the big bad instigator of heart disease and clogger arteries after all. Which of course is bad news for Unilever, the company behind those "heart-healthy" products.

The above is also why nutritional science is interesting because it's ever-changing, though sadly steered too much by commercial motives.

[JSmith925]

I totally agree. Saturated fats were demonized back in the fifties as a result of faulty studies. I eat light on the food chain but still get a healthy dose of fats from dairy, cocoanut oils and even occasionally very small amounts of meat.

You sound pretty knowledgeable. Are you a nutritionist or just a serious amateur like me?

[Remonster]

Just a naturally skeptical person. People and companies try to bullshit you in all aspects of life after all.

[GOOSEBOY78]

stay away from tanning salons they put out more UV light than the sun plus they cost per visit. some SPF 30+ sunscreen and a day at the beach is free. and the sun is your best way of getting the vitamin D your skin needs

[Remonster]

Thanks for the warning. :)

[smexiliciousss]

I don't think you should use tanning beds use spray tan at the salon!

[GreenTeaIceCreamPlz]

Best practice is to not use them. Tan outside for 20 minutes a day or up to an hour if you're comfortable. Skin cancer and tanning beds is definitely an issue so I wouldn't even risk it.

[Remonster]

Thanks. I guess natural sunlight is the way to go then.