Tanning - Pocatello, ID

The gradual tanning lotions have always worked really well for me and have never left me looking orange or anything weird like some spray tans do. I've heard good things about mystic tan also, but never tried it. Good luck!

Definitely do the spray tan if you must look tan. My sister-in-law just had a mole that was diagnosed as melanoma removed and luckily they caught it in time and it hadn't spread. However she did have a pretty good chunk of her thigh removed. She use to frequent tanning beds. When the doctor was giving her instructions, one thing he said was, "Do everything you can to shut down every tanning salon you see." As for the spray tan - they are great! I did it just before a vacation and looked great and was easy. After about a week it started to wear off and looked a little splotchy, but it wasn't a big deal.

lotion tans work great, I use Banana Boat and it looks very even and real. Try it out now, then you will know how much to use before the wedding.

Either a spray on tan or a self tanning lotion (I know a really good tanning lotion that will look natural, contact me for deatils).

DO NOT go to a tanning salon. It is no safter than the sun. Sun exposure is the #1 way to prematurely age your skin. It's the same thing that makes it dark, so don't think that tanning in a bed is any safer. It's not. Plus, you're putting yourself at risk for skin cancer, the most preventable cancer out there. It's not worth it for a couple of pictures.

Hi K.,
I know it stinks being the "white one", but the risks are even worse. Tanning beds are definitely a NO! Some lotions are safe, but research them first. If you have fair skin, you are at a higher risk of melanoma. I was diagnosed with melanoma at 25, I had 3 little girls and was 10 weeks pregnant. Luckily after lots of tests and a pretty major surgery, the doctors were able to remove everything. It's not worth it, the best thing is just to love the skin you're in and PROTECT it!

As a 30-year-old "artic princess" myself, my best advice is to be your brilliant self. If you want to avoid reflecting too much flash in photos, just bruch your skin with a body powder. They even sometimes come with perfume scents. And some of them have a tiny bit of bronzing powder that can also cut down your reflectivity. Overall however, I advise you to love your skin, no matter what. Isn't that what we tell everyone else? And I bet everyone who knows and loves you would rather see the "real" you in the photos than a tanned substitute. Have fun at the wedding!

Speaking from a former tanning bed person, DO NOT GO TO A TANNING bed, that is worse then sun exposure for melanoma risk. Go get a spray tan. You can look up online on cosmeticdatabase.com on the chemicals involved in ones you get at home. I don't know the risk factors on those. But I would say a spray tan is SO much better for your skin and health than a tanning bed by far. The last time I was in a tanning bed they had switched to high bulbs without letting me know and I stayed in for the amount of time I did with the medium beds, I got 2nd degree burns all over my body, had to go to the ER and it was horrible! I am more now at risk of skin cancer by this bad burn then ever! I am not even fair skinned but I will NEVER go to another tanning bed again. Since you sign a waiver when you go to these places I couldn't even sue them. Look online too for the ratings and what tanning beds can do to your skin.
I realize it is a one time thing so you have some color, but go for the spray tan, they last a few weeks and I think are much better way to go!

Hey, K., I feel your pain. I like to joke that you can call my skin color "pastey shark bait" or "porcelain, like Nicole Kidman," depending how you feel about it.
I barely tan naturally, but I have had good luck taking the "glow" off with moisturizers with a bit of self-tanner in them, such as Jergen's. It is just a little bit, though. But, I have also had great luck with spray tans at salons. Just surrender your modesty and dignity for a few minutes and go for it. I kind of get a kick out of having a white bum and tan lines there, since I am usually white all over. ;) Some people go naked; I keep my undies on. I do recommend you have a human being apply the spray, NOT a machine or a booth--the results will be more even. Also, do it a couple days beforehand because you're not supposed to shower for 12 to 24 hours after to let it all dry. If you tell the person who's applying the mist that you just want *some* color but don't need to look "dark," you'll get it just right. My "tans" have lasted a full week and as they start to fade you can exfoliate in the shower and avoid any blotchiness. It's totally worth the $30 or so to avoid feeling self-conscious and have fun for a special occasion. The only thing that looks fake about a spray tan is that you're not usually tan, so people who know you well will be onto you. But I've never looked orange or streaky with a spray tan.
Skip the tanning beds. My mother-in-law died of melanoma at age 50. Avoiding self-consciousness is worth about $30, but definitely not such a dramtically increased risk of cancer.
Have a great time!

I would test different sunless options out before hand so you don't look orange for the wedding. I like the foam that Neutragena makes. It has a bronzer as well so you can see where you got it. First use a body scrub to remove dead skin, then put on regular lotion making sure to put a lot around knees, ankles and elbows. Don't rub the lotion in. Then put on the foam. Rub it in really well trying to keep it even and only barely going over knees, ankles and elbows once. Let it all dry and then use a dry towel to kind of "buff" off a little of the bronzer because it will get on your clothing. I hope that helps.

Hi K.,
I would definitely go the spray tan route. Please don't even consider a tanning bed or laying out in the sun. That lovely tan color we all love so much is damage to you skin, and those of us with fair skin are more likely to develop to skin cancers. I work for a plastic surgeon and we have many patient who come to our office for removal of suspicious lesions which turn out to be cancerous. Some of these people are in their 20s and 30s. It just isn't worth it.
Try a spray tan or at home product now to get comfortable with it and make sure you look the way you want.

Please don't do this. I am 39 now and so wish I had stayed out of the sun more! The sun is soooo bad for your skin, especially in Colorado. And I think the tanning beds are even worse! I go to the Dermatoligist every year and she always talks about how bad the sun is for your skin. Get some of the lotions that give you the color! And just get it at the drug store, Consumer Reports I'm sure has a review of this stuff! Good luck!

I've never done spray, but I have some tanning cream made by Banana Boat that I like. It takes some practice to not get streaks, and I definitely recommend putting regular lotion on your elbows, knees, ankles, and bottoms of your feet first. T hat keeps your driest skin from absorbing too much of the pigment and looking orange. That's also minimized by scrubbing yourself pretty good (in the shower) right before you put on the cream.
I also suggest you try it out a few times before the wedding. I got pretty good at the cream after 3-4 applications, so now I don't get any accidental streaks.

Another bonus to spray or cream is that it's instant. I did a little tanning bed tanning before my sister's wedding, and after three visits, it wasn't even all that noticeable. And that's besides the fact that it's dangerous!

Hi K.,
I am fair skinned also & tend to turn orange. I stay away from tanning beds & suntanning because of cancer risks. I use a product from Arbonne called Made in the shade-Seflf tanner. It works awesome for red-heads also. I spray into my hands, rub together & then apply for the most even look. And you can re-apply to darken the shade. Just make sure to exfoliate first. Hope this helps! G.

echoing the spray tan, if you are fair skinned you probably won't tan but burn--it's the same as sun exposure so if you burn in the sun, you'll burn in the bed. make sure you ask for someone who has lots of experience with the spray tan with fair skin. Go to a reputable salon not just wherever is cheapest. IMHO

Im a fair blonde. Do the spray tan. You will look fine and avoid the skin damage of Tanning.

I haven't read everyone else's comment, but I would say no to the tanning. I did it for my sister's wedding. I told them that I was WHITE, and they told me the "recommended" time. I burned! SO NOT worth it. Now I just go white. I might be willing to try the spray, but try it early enough that if it is awful, it will fade in time.

Hi- I'm fair and freckled so I've always been on a hunt for tanning products. The one I love??? Jergens Natural Glow, it's the one that Kelly Rippa uses. It comes in like 3 shades. I use the medium one every day after I get out of the shower and it produces a nice color, but doesn't look like fake tan. I think it runs you less than 7 bucks at any walmart type store. It takes about a week to notice results because they are so natural looking. Just use a good amount and rub it in really well until you don't notice any "slimy" places (like any other lotion application). Oh, and be sure to wash your hands after each application so your palms and creases in your hands don't get "tanned" :)Enjoy!!! (it also moisturizes really nicely-I've always had really dry skin and this solves both dilemas)

I am fair skinned also, and used to love tanning, but now that I am a mom I am too afraid to tan because of the cancer risks. I have found that spray on tans look uneven on me and tend to turn orange. The best solution I've used are the gradual tanning lotions that you can use every day. After a week or two of using one of those daily, you will have plenty of color that isn't blotchy. The worst side effect of these is that you will have that "tanning smell" on you every day you use them (it can kind of be covered up by using a scented lotion on top) I have had good results with both the Mary Kay and Avon lotions, but Avon's is cheaper and works just as well. I think you can buy either of these online. Good luck!

Hi K.,

I too am very fair skinned and I do admit I go to the tanning beds just to get a base do I dont burn in the sun. But you are looking just for some color. I highly recommend to get spray tanned but have somebody do it. You get a much better result. There is a place on 100th and Wadsworth called Southwest Tans. They charge $25. I did it right before we went to Mexico and I LOVED the results. )It looks natural) I have never had very good luck with the self tanners that you do at home. You miss spots, it looks streaky, and you have orange hands, it never fails. Good Luck to you in what ever you decide.

I've never used a tanning bed or self tanner, but that's because I'd rather not spend the time in a tanning bed and don't think it's worth the risks and I'm too paranoid that self tanner will go wrong... (Although I do know people who have used self tanner successfully.)

My advice to you is to try out Mystic Tan. It's a spray tan that a lot of tanning salons offer. I've done it a few times myself and have always gotten really good results from it. Other friends of mine have done it as well, but we've all gotten different levels of tan due to our different complexions. On the plus side, you've got some time to experiment. You could try it out once and see how you like it. If you don't like it, it will usually fade in about a week or so. Just be careful with your feet, hands, and hairline. I've never had major problems, but I can see how people could easily mess those areas up if they don't pay attention to the directions. All in all, my experiences with Mystic Tan have been great. To me, it's pretty much foolproof and a great way to get a tan. Good luck!

I had the same problem, only it was before my wedding. Here's what I would recommend - depending on time (do you have 4 or more months?) I would actually try a spray tan first - just because it's safer. I wouldn't go cheap though - the spray tan I had, sadly was the best in the area but it was still really cheap. I ended up smelling terrible and being orange for quite a while. So if you go that route, make sure that just in case it goes badly you have time to "fade" it out and get a real tan, or if it looks great then you can just get a touch up before the wedding.
As far as regular tanning, if you're fair skinned like me then it can almost be just as scary. Take the recommendations from the people that work there as far as how long you should stay in there. Personally again I like the standup beds because you don't get the "racing stripes" on your sides, but they also work a lot faster, so you'll only want to go for 5-7 mintues tops, and then go about 1 or 2 times a week. If you go for a lay down bed, go with the Ruva (spelling?) because those color you deeper so you don't get as pink, but you get a much deeper tan. Again, not going for long, I'd say 10-15 min tops (I always only go for 10 and go frequently if I need to get some color, otherwise I just burn). After you have your base tan then you can use the other beds if you'ld like, but I still stick with the Ruva's.
Also, if you don't have time to experiment with spray tans, then I would just go straight for the Ruva bed or a standup bed, and again don't go for long periods at one time and wait a few days in between and you'll get a really nice color, and you'll also be able to control just how dark or light you are by spacing it out and going for short timeframes. Use a lotion as well, as it can help protect your skin and make it so you don't get all wrinkly. The tanning spas can recommend some and a lot of times they even have samples you can use.

Hope this was helpful!

Spray tans are great. They are a little more expensive, but much better for short term.

Tanning is okay too, but if you've never been and you're fair, you are likely to burn. If you decide to tan, you MUST get a bottle of tanning lotion (the accelerator stuff sold at salons). It will help with color, keeping you moisturized, and prevent some burning, but you will have to tan for a really short amount of time (8 min maybe??) and I would start every other day and work up to being able to tan every day.

Probably not enough time before the wedding to work up to a decent tan in a tanning bed.

The spray tan is the way to go for sure. It sometimes takes more than one spray to get good color. It is just veg. oil so it is Healthy compared to the sun and tanning beds.

Try the lotions that have some color in them. It is subtle and gradual gives you really soft skin.

K., tanning is so bad for the skin, especially for us fair maidens! :-) Looking "good" is not worth the risk. I have tried self "tanning" lotions but they don't look very real and usually turn dry places (like your knuckes, knees, elbows) a disgusting dark orange and everyone knows you're faking.

Look around at your local spas for a spray-on that they apply. You stand their in your panties and they spray you evenly and it looks fantastic. It will last through several showers, so you can get it a day or 2 before the wedding (they smell so don't do it the a.m. of!) In fact, do one now so you can see what it looks like before the real deal. Good luck!

Hi K.. I have had the professional spray tans that you get at a salon and they look much better than trying to do it yourself at home. I agree with the mom who said to try it now before the wedding to see how it turns out on you. I have found places that will do it for about $35.00 which is probably cheaper than a tanning bed, and much better for you skin!