To tan or not to tan - and I do not mean TAN (Page 2)

I've gave up on trying to be tan a long time ago.  It doesn't really happen for me.  I always wear sunscreen when I am outside.  I've gone to tanning beds in the winter for about 5 minutes once every week or two just to get some more sunlight exposure.  Even that I didn't like.

If I really need to be tan, I spray tan.  It works just fine.

I work in the oncology field,,(radiation side) and sadly I actually do tan in Jan, and Feb... what does that mean.. basically that I'm not that smart and all the radiation I've gotten over the past 20 yrs has fried my brain or that it's going to get me first anyway...  

The post's that Comet posted were pretty much right on,, I 'll see literature at the tanning salon saying how safe it is, that it's not UV etc.... but I really dont' believe them. 

I claim that I get that seasonal disorder in the winter months and the tanning helps me,, most likely since I have to go outside to get to the tanning salon and that gives me some actual sunlight

I enjoy being tan, it makes me feel healthy and not sickly like being pale does. But I won't to the tanning bed (did it in high school and college) - just so unnatural and frankly kind of creepy.

I am terrible about remembering sunscreen on long rides or at races (sigh... 4 inches of my upper arm got very pink last Saturday in 35 degree weather! I was not in sunscreen mode yet).

I believe a moderate amount of sun is good for you, but just like anything - too much of it can be detrimental.

 Almost all "ditto."  Stage I melanoma, 5 years ago.  I make sure my sunscreens have UVA blocking ingredients, because the "SPF" number is only based on UVB.  (Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are the ones you'll usually find.  I usually order good sunscreen by mail.)  I wear big hats all summer long, a look I can pull of with the requisite fabulousness.

  AND, I wear a Solumra shirt and pareo at the beach.  Yup.

So here's a question for those who regularly "tan" to get tan. (not TAN)

With the overwhelming evidence that it's a direct cause of skin cancer, why do you still do it? Do the benefits outweigh that risk for you (please explain)? Do you think it won't happen to you? Are you confident that if you do get skin cancer you will survive?

Just curious on the thought process here...

As some one that has never had a sunburn and have 20+ years worth of summers of youth swimming, lifeguarding and exercise; Ive never worn sunscreen.  I'm sure neither of my parents did and they both have normal skin for 65 year olds.  I guess i've always seen it in a way that if i saw a negative effect of the sun on me I would change, but I love the feel of the sun on my skin.

maybe i'm like a smoker that cant see his lungs turning black but I think i'm gonna keep body glide the only thing i put on when i head outdoors

I'm going to Cancun in 5 days...I think that pretty much answers that question.

Or, you could just look at my pictures! I feel ugly when I am not tan...I know, probably a self esteem issue...and I hate when I look in the mirror and see wrinkles, but hell, it's all part of aging I guess!

Plus, when I tell people I am approaching 35, they tell me to "Shut Up, there's no way, you look like you're 22!"

something else will get me first... 
  I'm exposed to radiation all the time. I've lost count of the number of people that should have lived that have died. and that should have never lived yet still do... when it's your time it's your time..

I do my best to get regular check ups, blood work,, My family history is either living well into their 90's with being very active mentally and pshyically  or dying in some fluke accident.   I might just buy one of those special lambs for the couple months in the winter when I get in a serious funk without the sun.

Uh... You from Montana or something?

OH!!  that cracks me up... !!!!   nope in texas where men are men and steers are afraid

I did the tanning bed thing once for a wedding with a silver dress...pasty white and silver just don't do it!

I tend to wear SPF 50 whenever I train outside...except when I forget, like today and end up pink.   But that's rare.

I hate the bike short/jersey farmer tan look so I make sure I swim outside (wearing the SPF 50) as much as possible to even it out a bit.  Even with the SPF 50 I end up with a nice light brown color by the end of summer.

SO I guess I never deliberately tan....it just happens from training.  Everything in moderation, right?  And yes I would fake and bake again for a wedding.

FWIW, I had a severely dysplastic mole removed last year....from a place where the sun don't shine.  You don't need the sun to get skin cancer....

I tanned 8-10 times for my own wedding last fall.  i don't think i would do it again.  i really enjoy it, but i just don't want to look like aged hide when i get older.

I love the way a tan looks and makes me feel, but feeling attractive now is not worth looking like leather later or getting cancer.

I completely don't get the folks who say something is going to kill me eventually anyway.  that is true, but not tanning is something very much in your control.  Using sunscreen, again, not hard and very much in your control.  We're not talking about randomness here.  it is a fact that these irresponsible actions increase your liklihood of having severe health problems.  so why do them?  No one is saying don't go outside and never leave your house.  they are saying just take basic precautions.