Should i use sunbed before holiday

For us, the season is full of cold, short days and long nights that often seem go on forever without end. Being active outdoors is great for your mind and body! Here are 4 of the most common myths I hear:. Fact : When your skin tans, it means it is responding to injury. A study found that college students who tan indoors before spring break are actually more likely to get sunburned on vacation. I was thinking about this as an alternative to my spray tans but also logically, by having a few sunbeds, this would build up my skin defences, pigmentation sorry dont know the facts just typing as i ponder this lol making it a bit healthier when i do get in the real sun as i'll have a build up, meaning i'm less likely to burn?

I always wear factor in the sun anyway, as im really wary of skin cancers, But is this actually better? Or am i completely wrong and in fact its still mega dangerous and makes no differnece to when i get my skin in the real sun?

Hope that makes sense, any advice you got is appreciated xxxx. Joined Oct 4, Messages 6, Reaction score Location herts. I'm not an advocate of sunbeds but I think yes if you are going out in strong sun after being covered up all year then its not a bad idea at all to have a few beforehand.

I personally keep my face out of the sun completely as its a small enough area to fake. So drape something over your face when sunbedding and wear a high factor face cream and big glasses when on your hols. I also wear a big hat In fact wear a high factor on your face all round in this country too. I also smother my face in Elizabeth arden 8 hour cream and wear something that resembles a balaclava in the cold wind to walk the dog. I hope to look 30 when I'm 60 not that my face will match my body though that looks 60 now.

The creams you can get to kick start your melanin are supposed to be good too. I know Elemis do a tan accelerator. I would say no, not these days when the dangers of tanning beds is well known. Years ago we didn't know any different but I wouldn't go near one now. I am from canada and have worked in the UV industry. Especially when your body has not seen sun in months and you are going somewhere hot and sunny. You will be almost guaranteed that if you do not pre-tan before your holiday, to burn in the first 2 days.

I would suggest starting out about 2 weeks before you leave, to go tanning for a very short time. Start with times going for 5 minutes. Then bump to 7 min for about 4 days and maybe if you are seeing color deepening, bump to 9 minutes the last few days.

I would go daily, you just should not tan sooner then 24 hours from your last tan Choosing to use tanning beds once in a while to prepare for a holiday is safe as long as you use the equipment safely as well. As for wearing sunscreen you can still wear this while on vacation.

A higher number of course will prevent you from getting that rich dark color you might want, so bring a mid and high range sunscreen. I hope this helps. Researchers looked at university students who had gone on holidays and discovered that those ones who had visited sun beds before their holidays were more likely to return home with a sunburn, even though about 12 percent of the people who hit tanning salons said they did so in order to 'prep' their skin for the sun.

Sun beds won't help your skin tan faster when you go abroad. Pic: Rex. According to the Irish Cancer Society , more than new cases of melanoma are reported in Ireland each year, with Irish people dying from skin cancer annually.

The Irish Cancer Society warns that pre-tanning is more dangerous than exposing yourself to natural sunlight, as sunbeds give off UV rays that can be to fifteen times stronger than the midday Mediterranean sun.

It's not worth burning your skin in the long run. So if you're jetting off on holidays this summer, avoid the sun beds at all cost, make sure to wear an SPF 15 or higher at all times and stay in the shade as much as you can between the hours of 12 noon and 3 to avoid the strongest sun rays.

Search for:. Myth buster: Pre-holiday sun beds won't improve your skin's ability to tan. Although this is true, their effect is minimal, if any. A good tan accelerator that actually does what it should will contain ingredients that stimulate skin to tan faster, such as L-tyrosine, as well as ingredients that your skin needs to produce a better, deeper tan more quickly whilst combating UV-induced free radicals, such as vitamins, carotenoids, and antioxidants.

Some accelerators contain bronzer, which kick-starts your colour and results in a beautiful golden-hued tan. Before hitting the sunbed shop, you need to work out what your skin type is to make the most of your session. By knowing your skin type and its tanning abilities, most sunburn can be avoided altogether. Skin typing determines the amount of natural protection you have against ultraviolet light, how many sessions it will take you to establish a base tan, and how long you can be in the tanning unit each session.

Dermatologists categorize people into 6 different skin types, starting from the lightest and working up to the darkest:. Skin Type 1 — Usually very white or pale, blue or green eyes, red hair and many freckles. This skin type burns very easily and tans with great difficulty.

Tanning must be undertaken very carefully. Skin Type 2 — Light beige skin, blue or green eyes, blonde or light brown hair and maybe freckles. This skin type has a tendency to burn. Tanning must be undertaken carefully and correctly.

Skin Type 3 — Light brown skin, brown eyes and hair. This skin type sometimes burns but always tans. Skin Type 4 — Light brown or olive skin, dark brown eyes and hair. This skin type sometimes burns and tans easily. Skin Type 5 — Brown skin, dark brown hair and eyes.

This skin type rarely burns and tans very easily. Skin Type 1: Limit tanning to very short sessions, no longer than 1 minute for your first 3 sessions. Build up the length of time tanning in 1 minute increments only, and do not rush the process. The minute you start to feel your skin getting too warm or uncomfortable, end your tanning session immediately. The key is to build up your base tan slowly and to avoid burning at all costs in order to keep the progress of your tan going.

If you burn, your skin may start to peel and you will have to start all over again.