am I the ONLY one who doesn't go tanning?!

[kiss_andmakeup]

The face people give me when I tell them I've never even been inside a tanning establishment...well...it looks something like this: http://www.all4humor.com/images/files/Surprised%20Girl%20Face.jpg

 

I am a very fair skinned girl...the lightest shade in most foundations (I've added a few pictures of myself to my album for the purpose of this thread), and I actually like to keep it that way. And yet people several shades darker than I complain of how they feel so pasty this time of year as swimsuit season approaches...which makes it seem like I should feel like some sort of leper!

 

Am I the only one who doesn't see the appeal in this? I don't feel pasty, I feel porcelain and beautiful (and HEALTHY!), why are so many people seemingly obsessed with this? Sun damage is now believed to cause 90% of wrinkles and age spots, let alone the cancer risks, so does it really look THAT good where it's worth it?

 

I feel like I'm missing something...someone please explain!

[Woggle]

You look great the way you are. I think it is good that you don't want to ruin your skin and please don't go the other route and rub orange paint on yourself.

[kiss_andmakeup]

You look great the way you are. I think it is good that you don't want to ruin your skin and please don't go the other route and rub orange paint on yourself.

 

Haha, wouldn't dare! And thanks. :]

[Woggle]

Looking like Snookie from Jersey Shore is not a good thing.

[SarahRose]

I never tanned in my youth and I am glad I didn't. I went to a high school reunion and the sun bakers all had skin like shoe leather. I look a good 15 years younger.

[sweetjasmine]

Am I the only one who doesn't see the appeal in this? I don't feel pasty, I feel porcelain and beautiful (and HEALTHY!), why are so many people seemingly obsessed with this? Sun damage is now believed to cause 90% of wrinkles and age spots, let alone the cancer risks, so does it really look THAT good where it's worth it?

 

Nah, you're not the only one. I agree with you. My skin is olive, but even if I were pale white, I wouldn't do it. It's harmful, and I think people's natural skin color tends to be more flattering, regardless of what color it is.

[marsle85]

Let me first say- you pull off that look very well. A lot of girls don't have the natural pigments that rely on the contrast like you. You are beeeeeautiful! The only and last time I tanned was for HS prom. Though I am a lifeguard and live on the beach during the summer, so I do get pretty dark. I use sunscreen though!

[USMCHokie]

You look great USMC!

 

Just thought I'd say thanks...and you look great too! Absolutely no artificial tanning is necessary. Like marsle said, you make the fairer complexion look amazing, and the fake tan might actually look worse on you to be completely honest...

 

And to answer your question, I don't tan either.

[Star Gazer]

I decided to stop tanning this year, but I do use a sunless tanning cream.

 

I came back from Hawaii a couple weeks ago, and everyone asked me where my tan was! Guess I really did well with my SPF (and hiding under the cabana)!

[Lauriebell82]

I used to go tanning a lot but stopped last year. I am very pasty now! I personally don't mind but I would like to get a tan so I can look good in my wedding dress. Our apartment pool is opening next weekend so I have all summer to tan!

 

But OP, I think you look wonderful the way you are, don't compromise your feelings for anyone!!

[kiss_andmakeup]

Let me first say- you pull off that look very well. A lot of girls don't have the natural pigments that rely on the contrast like you. You are beeeeeautiful! The only and last time I tanned was for HS prom. Though I am a lifeguard and live on the beach during the summer, so I do get pretty dark. I use sunscreen though!

 

Hmmm...I guess I just feel like I pull it off because I have always been this way. I think women who are used to being tan...when they see themselves more pale, they only think they look bad because they're not used to it and perhaps don't know how to properly accentuate their features with makeup and colour?

 

Interesting responses everyone, thanks!

[tman666]

Personally, as a dood, I would never go tanning for the sake of tanning. Most guys who go tanning are either have the ghey, or are overly narcissistic. I do feel all-around better after being in the sun for an hour or two per day though.

 

As for females, some girls look great tanned, and others do not. One thing that I can say with certainty is that when you see middle age and older women who went overboard with the tanning when they were younger, it is painfully obvious that over exposure is bad news for the skin. The leathery, raisin-y, beef-jerky-y look is super nasty in my opinion.

[Green]

My gf has barely any tan lines... Because she stays out of the sun as much as possible and uses sunscreen... I hate tans and sun damaged skin

[kiss_andmakeup]

Personally, as a dood, I would never go tanning for the sake of tanning. Most guys who go tanning are either have the ghey, or are overly narcissistic. I do feel all-around better after being in the sun for an hour or two per day though.

 

As for females, some girls look great tanned, and others do not. One thing that I can say with certainty is that when you see middle age and older women who went overboard with the tanning when they were younger, it is painfully obvious that over exposure is bad news for the skin. The leathery, raisin-y, beef-jerky-y look is super nasty in my opinion.

 

I agree. Just seeing women like that up close (I'm a hairdresser so I see many) is enough to convince me to stay out of tanning beds and wear sunscreen. I can't believe someone can look at women in their 40's with all that sun damage and not think/care that it will happen to them.

[quankanne]

K&M, you've got a lovely complexion, one that looks good as is ... don't ruin your skin by doing a number on it.

 

I've got a nice "built-in tan" as a Mexican, but to be honest, I stopped about 25 years ago trying to darken my color because of worry of what I'd look like as an old mamacita. I do get a farmer's tan every summer, mostly on my left arm because it hangs out the window when I drive, but that's about the most of it. I use sunscreens and have taken to wearing hats if I work outside.

 

if anything, I'll probably do a few sessions in the backyard trying to even out the color on my legs, which aren't as dark as my arms, but only because it's that noticeable to me. Other than that, I avoid the sun.

 

OH! nearly forgot to mention, people need to be very, very careful about exposing themselves to sunlight if they're on certain meds. My husband used to tan very nicely for a white boy, but for the past 10 years he's had to use heavy sunscreens and stay out of the sun as much as possible or he'll get blisters. Painful to look at and painful to have, according to him.

[kiss_andmakeup]

I should have mentioned that I live in Michigan so here it's more popular for people to use tanning beds than to simply spend time outside...we only have about 3 months of warm sunny weather. :]

[Els]

I find it quite amusing how the Caucasians like the tanned look, but all the girls in my tropical country are slapping on whitening creams and staying out of the sun like their life depended on it. Most wear arm-covers to sports - when it's already stifling hot as it is. Grass-is-greener syndrome, eh?

[donnamaybe]

The face people give me when I tell them I've never even been inside a tanning establishment...well...it looks something like this: http://www.all4humor.com/images/files/Surprised%20Girl%20Face.jpg

 

Well, don't feel bad, 'cause pretty soon those people will look like this.

[kiss_andmakeup]

Well, don't feel bad, 'cause pretty soon those people will look like this.

 

Or this.

[bluewolf17]

Hey K&M!

 

First off, you have a very nice skin color!

 

I use to tan, a lot, then I crossed over to the light side, so to speak.

 

I look back at photos of me with a dark tan (I am white, blue eyes, blond) and to be honest, I love it. I loved the tan. I loved tanning beds too.

 

With that being said, I wised up after I had a scary mole removed 3 years ago. Now I stay out of the sun, don't tan, wear sunscreen. Let me tell you, I am very, very white. BUT I like it in it's own way, and it is better for me. And my boyfriend compliments me on my "glowing" skin, so I guess I will take it.

 

Good on you for making that decision too. I live in the Northwest, and I don't know much about Michigan, but we don't get that much sun here, so we have a lot of tanners. But when the sun comes out (or it gets over 65) all the girls are in tank tops and short shorts laying out

[Woggle]

I find it quite amusing how the Caucasians like the tanned look, but all the girls in my tropical country are slapping on whitening creams and staying out of the sun like their life depended on it. Most wear arm-covers to sports - when it's already stifling hot as it is. Grass-is-greener syndrome, eh?

 

People are never happy with what they have.

[FitChick]

Use fake tans not tanning beds. Of course, if you want to look old before your time and risk skin cancer, then get a real tan.

 

I've always protected my skin which is why I can knock ten years off my age no problem. Even then, people say, "You can't be that old!" If they only knew... Sunscreen is the fountain of youth!

[quankanne]

Sunscreen is the fountain of youth

 

I thought it was fat ... you know, it fills in the wrinkles nicely!!!! :lmao:

[dazzle22]

As a derm doc, I make my living cutting out sun related skin cancers, and treating sun/tanning bed related skin problems. That last pic that Kissand makeup put up is the sad ugly truth about 20 yrs down the road. Everyone says I look 15 yrs younger than I am and that is because of skin protection. But I forgot my HANDS. Don't forget the sunscreen on your hands girls! Guys too.

[kiss_andmakeup]

Use fake tans not tanning beds. Of course, if you want to look old before your time and risk skin cancer, then get a real tan.

 

I've always protected my skin which is why I can knock ten years off my age no problem. Even then, people say, "You can't be that old!" If they only knew... Sunscreen is the fountain of youth!

 

I really have no desire to be tan...was just trying to understand why other people do. I wear sunscreen every day and always have. :]