I just entered this tanning contest thinger! Oh Boy!

[coco-bean]

dont worry everyone, not only do i work there but im trained in what i sell(tanning sessions that is) i know all the risks and health problems that occur. Im not saying im immune to health problems i just no more then the average joe with tanning procedures! I practice safe tanning and pass that to my customers!

[Karen]

From what I have learned, there is no such thing as safe tanning. Tanning is skin damage, and it will show up, sooner rather than later. The only "safe" tan is the sray-on stuff, but who knows how safe that is in the long run!

I never have tanned, my skin always burned, just genetics, but consequently I wore sunscreen, and many women my age that I know used to "tan" have skin that is much wrinklier, more creased and leathery, and I am only 42.

I had a teacher in High school who explained her very wrinkly, leathery skin that way, said when she was in high school everyone envied her dark tan.

All that said, good luck with the contest, okay?

[coco-bean]

thanks for the contest support everyone, it'd be cool to be on a poster or something.
here's a little advice to anyone who wants to take it: the sun is more dangerous than tanning beds. Of course if you burn in a tanning bed more often than in the sun...then the bed is much worse! Happy Safe Tanning Everyone(that goes for me too)

[Lady's Human]

Being that tanning is the skin's response to excessive radiation, and an attempt to avoid further damage, there is no logical way to assume that tanning in any fashion is safe.

[coco-bean]

then i recomend staying inside for the rest of your life As long as the ozone layer stays in tack(no help to us people here on earth littering, using gases ect.) small amount of UVB and UVA and hope to god that UVC doesnt slip through the ozone, then we're all realitively safe as long as wel use sun screen and wear sun glasses!
Although one of my friends (who is a an eye doctor) told me that most eye damage in done when we are very young, whether it's true or not who knows!

[borzoimom]

Honey- I understand your training but there is one fact to consider- the genetics.. please do not.. please.. Two of friends- one now critical, and one just died last week, had no NONE NADA history of skin cancer.. please dont..( read condolences.. in general)

[RedHedd]

From what I have learned, there is no such thing as safe tanning. Tanning is skin damage, and it will show up, sooner rather than later.

What she said, or is this a joke? I noticed you posted pictures of your dog - you are joking, right? There's nothing funny or to be commended about a tanning contest IMHO. There can be no winner, as the grand prize is skin cancer or death. Not a glamourous look in my book.

[Lady's Human]

then i recomend staying inside for the rest of your life

No need. I spend a great deal of time outside. I control my exposure by dressing properly.

Being that the holes in the Ozone layer appear to be cyclical and centered on the poles (Less radiation=less ozone) I don't think we have too much to worry about on that score for the time being. The chemicals which were harming the ozone layer (in theory) have now been banned for years.

[coco-bean]

This contest has nothing to do with tanning itself, just tanning lotion! I could be white as day but they chose me and then they load me up with a bunch of make up, baby oils and change the lighting to make me look darker than i really am! Just the fact that i do work at a salon so i am aware of alot of these lotions prior to visiting these sites on the web.

[Daisy and Delilah]

My mother was a beach bunny back in her younger days. So was my sister. Neither if them could live without being on the beach and keeping a bronze tan at all times. We lived a couple of blocks from the beach in Daytona for 25 years. That was 30 years ago, long before the ozone was as severely depleted as it is now.

If you could see my Mother today, I guarantee you would never even think of tanning again, in any way, shape, nor form. For many years, her skin has been covered with multi colored blotches. Unfortunately, a great percentage of these unsightly marks are skin cancers. She has cancerous masses removed almost every six months. Her skin is like leather and it's very hard for even us, her family members, to see her the way she is. You can only imagine how she feels to be seen in public. She wears long sleeves and special UV clothing, exclusively. She is unable to ride in a car for longer than 15 minutes due to the repercussions she suffers. This is only part of her story. There's alot more to it and none of it good. It's one of the saddest things I've ever seen and it's all because she lived to get a tan for so many years. Trust me, my sister is right behind her. She has already had numerous cancers removed and her skin is taking on the exact same appearance of my mother's.

I understand that this may be partially due to some hereditary conditions and everyone may not suffer to this extreme. However, I strongly urge you to reconsider tanning in any way. Please think about it. You're only bringing harm to yourself. It may seem really cool now but you'll pay for it later--trust me.

[coco-bean]

My mother was a beach bunny back in her younger days. So was my sister. Neither if them could live without being on the beach and keeping a bronze tan at all times. We lived a couple of blocks from the beach in Daytona for 25 years. That was 30 years ago, long before the ozone was as severely depleted as it is now.

If you could see my Mother today, I guarantee you would never even think of tanning again, in any way, shape, nor form. For many years, her skin has been covered with multi colored blotches. Unfortunately, a great percentage of these unsightly marks are skin cancers. She has cancerous masses removed almost every six months. Her skin is like leather and it's very hard for even us, her family members, to see her the way she is. You can only imagine how she feels to be seen in public. She wears long sleeves and special UV clothing, exclusively. She is unable to ride in a car for longer than 15 minutes due to the repercussions she suffers. This is only part of her story. There's alot more to it and none of it good. It's one of the saddest things I've ever seen and it's all because she lived to get a tan for so many years. Trust me, my sister is right behind her. She has already had numerous cancers removed and her skin is taking on the exact same appearance of my mother's.

I understand that this may be partially due to some hereditary conditions and everyone may not suffer to this extreme. However, I strongly urge you to reconsider tanning in any way. Please think about it. You're only bringing harm to yourself. It may seem really cool now but you'll pay for it later--trust me.

I appreciate everything you've said and i feel terrible about your family! Also thank you again to everyone who is concerned. I know it may not seem like im all that concerned, but tanning is a part of my life everyday, practically all day long! i dont tan everyday, but i do tan regularly. I try and reduce any health issues that may occur with time in between each tan to give my skin time to rejuvenate itself and rebuild cells that were damaged due to tanning (specialist say give your skin 24-48 hours{more if needed} to rebuild burned or injured skin cells) if i burn i dont tan for about a week so i give myself plenty of time to rebuild.
But yes tanning is regular for me like i said. I take precautions and try to stay safe. But like i said previously tanning is an everyday part of my life just because i work at a tanning salon, i work very hard to keep my clients safe from burning and keep their eyes safe with proper eye wear.
But thanks again...and HEY i even promise to minimize my tanning time! If i really wanted to, i could stop completely but im awefully scary with white skin, and spray on tanners are just too expensive.

[GreyhoundGirl]

We understand you, just are concerned because we know stories, things that have happened to our friends and families. Please do try to stop, or at least put a strict minimum on your time spent tanning. We just don't want you to be hurt-emotionally or phisically- by this. Trust me, I've got russian heiracy; I know white skin!!!! I can't even wear a white shirt because it will make me glow! IMO It is better to be white now then hurt later.

Please.

[BOBS DAD]

so where is your pic???

I am curious now and I am sure we would all be interested in seeing. You should have sent it to me first for some professional retouching. I could have touched you up a bit (just like the cover models have done) and evened out any blotchiness that you mentioned in your face (or even overall tones). Just keep all the advice everyone offered in mind and remember, "everything in moderation".

[angelbow20]

The doctors told my mom to go to tanning beds and lay out in the sun, she has alot of problems and is sick alot and I guess the tanning and sun would help her with one of her sicknesses, im not sure which because she is sick alot but my point is tanning is good for some people in certain cases.

[bckrazy]

:< what is up with jumping her for tanning? My sister is a model and tans all the time, as does my other sister. They do it as little as possible to maintain a tan, and they use lots of special lotions.

She works at a tanning salon, so OF COURSE she knows the potential dangers of it! And I'm sure she sees people who tan way too much all the time. Who are we to judge some one's lifestyle, especially when it's something like tanning? People do WAAAY worse stuff to their body, such as eating very unhealthy food every day & not exercising, and I doubt anyone here would jump another member for that. I just don't get it.

My point is: Good luck! You should post them, if you're comfortable doing that. I'm sure you look awesome. =] I know I wouldn't be able to get the courage to send in swimsuit shots to a modeling contest.