Do any of you tan?

I'm not a fan. At ALL. But a friend suggested it as an aid to dampen my seasonal affective disorder. He said laying in one for just a couple of minutes a week helps him out tremendously. I would literally only be doing it for 2 minutes at a time, as I fear any more would burn me to a crisp. And I think I look better pale anyway.

Does anyone do this?

I'm not a fan either, but my sister does for the same reason.

A lightbox would do the same thing and not kill you.

Mars23 said:

Tell me about a lightbox. I don't know what that is.

Mars23 said:

so would vitamin D3

CarrieMpls said:

This is the 1st link I found. I looked into it about a year ago and might be able to find better stuff with a little time.

http://www.apollolight.co...ducts.html

It is essentially an artificial source of UV rays from a bulb or bank of LEDs. It gives you the rays you are looking for without the rays that will give you cancer.

Mars23 said:

Interesting...

And quite expensive. lol.

$299!!!!

no.

I used to tan a couple times a week to treat my eczema. It also gives you an instant pick me up if you're feeling blah.

As long as you don't overdo it (like everything) you should be fine - of course, that's also if there isn't a history of skin cancers in your family (which there isn't in mine).

I also love the look of a nice tan, can't lie about that.

BucketOfBouncyBalls said:

How much would 4 months of tanning be? They are also covered by insurance in some cases.

JustErin said:

I would like to do it but you know what I keep thinking about....that movie final destination 3 when the chicks get locked in the bed and burn...I don't want to get locked in the bed...and I'm afraid I'd get crazy because it looks like its really crammed.

Mars23 said:

I agree. Those full spectrum lights are a safer alternative. I knew a lady who swears by them.


I haven't had one, but for me my season depression is lightened by the fact that...well, I live in Florida, and I increase my exercise during these months to offset the depression.

Imago said:

I have them white lights up in my room so it looks like I'm in a friggen drs office at all times of the day

BucketOfBouncyBalls said:

The lights mars is talking about though are pretty intense. Its like a bit of daylight indoors to increase your mood.

Mars23 said:

Damn, you'll be there all day trying to tan yourself with that. Then again waht a small price to pay if you don't wanna get sick.....and you would have better access to tan your crevices!

CarrieMpls said:

I have 3 friends that use the beds in winter just for this reason only 5- 15 minutes a week is all they do and they say it helps them a lot

also you can buy spectrum sunlight bulbs/lamps to use in your home

I tan..and I like it. It does make you feel better, and Erin is right, a nice tan isn't bad either. But if you are worried about skin cancer etc..I would try what the others said.

MoniGram said:

I don't tan, though. I BURN and freckle and turn right back to pale. I'm also concerned about the aging affects.

Perhaps I'll look into the other lamps...

CarrieMpls said:

Then don't tan hun! If you burn and freckle that bad. So yes..look into those other lamps.

CarrieMpls said:

If you think about it 200 bucks for something you can use for several years, isn't a bad deal.

Imago said:

It's true.

I just don't spend $200 on ANYthing. I'm a frugal girl. And I don't have it right now. By the time I have that together this year, the winter will likely be almost over. I'll have to see how tips pan out the next month or so.

CarrieMpls said:

Carrie , you bought two very similar shoes cause you couldn't make up your mind. YOU JUST BOUGHT THEM. Girl, you big ballin spendin'

Imago said:

Yes, but that's different. They're shoes.

I go to the tanning bed for a few weeks in April every year...I tan easily, so it gives me a jump start for the summer...I'm outside enough during the summer months to tan more or maintain what I have...
I have heard of people using tanning beds for depression/winter blues, etc...but that seems a lil' extreme to me...they never really pep me up, I fall asleep inside 'em and smell like hiney when I'm done...nothing peppy about that...

roodboi said:

I detect more than a hint of gayness in that post.

I don't. Tanning beds look like giant grills.

Imago said:

of course you do...

BE concerned. If you burn immediately, you're at a great risk of getting skin cancer. MOVE AWAY FROM THE SNOW GIRL!! It's evil, I say! I've got an EXXXXX friend who used tanning beds a lot, and now she looks like that old lady in Something About Mary.

roodboi said:

You can buy those Day light things off the shelf now in Boots the Chemist and probably big department stores. I saw some while Xmas shopping.