Pre-tanning?

Looking for everyone's thoughts. Do you pre-tan, fake tan or just stay white? TIA

Always pretan and have never burned in St Maarten . Yes, it is not healthy but we don't go overboard.

I just stay white! I live in Florida and never have a tan!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> I sit under the umbrella all the time.

Just had the stitches removed from where they cut out yet another basel-cell carcinoma. Trust me when I tell you that, when you get to be 60-something, and are having chunks of skin cut off every few months, you are going to curse the stupid vanity that prompted you to deliberately sun damage your skin.

It is not worth it.

(Though, I realize that no one who wants a tan is going to believe that... At least, until they get to where they have to have chunks of skin sliced off on a regular basis.)

Before our last trip a couple of years ago I bought and applied a tanning cream (Jergens brand I believe). Color was pretty natural to my normal summer coloring and cream easy to work with. However, this does not...does not...mean you can apply less sunscreen than in any other circumstance. Mid winter trip so was just cosmetic only.

I never pre-tan either - just too many negatives associated with it IMHO, so we go the pale-skin route for the first couple of days, too.

Years ago, we didn't worry all that much about sunscreens, having grown up in the days of a dark tan being the sure sign of a great vacation and baby oil was often the lotion commonly used.

We started getting wiser later and today we are conscientious users of sunscreens at all times.

But on another note, a couple of years ago I got distracted while putting sunscreen on before hitting the beach and somehow I completely missed my shins and feet for that first and most critical sunscreen application of the beach day.

This was the only time in 43+ years of SXM vacations that I ever got a sunburn and I was in agony that first night because of it. The next day I was made aware of an otc product, Biofine (Biofane or might even be Biofene?) which took the pain out of the burn but it did cost me a couple of days out of the sun and a slight scarring on my shins which has never gone away completely.

My best suggestion to all concerned is be smart, people. A bad burn can totally take most of the pleasure out of an otherwise great vacation. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

We don't pre-tan either. We do use SPF 30 sunscreen or better when we're on the beach.

And the product for sun-burn relief is Biafine, available at all the French pharmacies (don't know for sure it is at the Dutch ones).

TY, Harry.

I use an SPF#55 on my face and the #30 for at least the first week of my vacation until I have a very good base and then I probably would drop back to an SPF#15.

The Biafine is an excellent product and it is readily available on the Dutch side of the island, too. We stay at the Towers and I was able to get it at the Maho Pharmacy, which is the closest one to us.

I have it from a good source the product can be ordered in the States on line but it's considerably more expensive than on the island.

My background is Pacific Islander and my wife's Sicilian. We never pre-tan and wear only Waterbabies SPF 50 lotion, no spray. We still get really dark by the end of the week and never burn. Don't put yourself in a situation where you need Biafine. It will ruin your vacation.

The last couple of trips we pre-tanned, in an attempt to get a bit brown, and to get a layer of protective pigment.

While we're in the winter cold, we look at ourselves in the mirror and think we're looking pretty good. Then we get to the beach and we're among the whitest there anyhow. As for the sun protection, we still smear ourselves with sunscreen once we arrive anyhow, so we ended up finding the pre-tanning pretty pointless and have foregone it this year.

It's also not inexpensive to electro-tan here.

In the summer on my sailboat I get as brown as a walnut. But I am such a white guy that my tan seems to be all but gone in two weeks.

I usually tan at a tanning booth, starting about a month before we leave. I start very slow, and have a good base tan by the time we leave for SXM.
I understand the concern about exposure to the "Tanning Booth Rays", but I try to start off very slow, and build up slowly. I feel better protected with a base tan, because IF you burn on the Beach, that sunburn might be a greater risk for damage and cancer (not sure-JMHO). I use a 30 spf
sunscreen (Bullfrog), and re-apply it after going into the water. I have not burned, and do make regular visits to the dermatologist for wellness visits.

Each year we arrive on island as "fish belly white" and are nicely tan when headed home after three or four weeks in May-June time frame. We live on the Texas Gulf Coast, 70 miles from the Gulf beaches. Upon arrival, I buy Vichy sun products there on SXM from the pharmacies in Cole Bay or Simpson Bay. Have never found these in the states. I can't say enough praises for these. I use a 30, my husband a 50. We do not burn but still get a very nice tan.

Ditto that. We used to pre-tan too because I break out in a rash if I get sunburned. But--2 facial basal skin cancers and 2 more on other spots has changed my tune.
I'm VERY careful with sunscreen now, applying at least 15 minutes before going out and I stay under the umbrella. I haven't gotten the rash with this routine because I don't get sunburned anymore.
Also, I don't care as much about the sunglow anymore! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

My wife had radiation treatments in the US and had a burn/rash. The doc told her that there was a French product which could alleviate the symptoms, but expensive. It turns out it was Biafine which we had brought back from the island. It worked great.

Kathleen,
My wife gets the rash too, after about a week or so in the sun. She uses a non-medicated sunscreen that was recommended by the dermatologist, but after about 5 to 7 days, even staying under the umbrella, she still gets a rash.
Several dermatologists cannot figure out what the reason is, and she doesn't burn- just gets the rash that itches like crazy.
Any idea what causes it with you, or do you only get it when you burn. Is it an allergy?

We have usually tried to pre-tan for a few weeks in our back yard before heading to SXM in late June for the last several years. Have been using SPF 30 (lotion and spray) before going outside (both at home and at SXM) and have not sun-burned. Unfortunately, last Aug had to have MOHS surgery to remove a basal cell carcinoma on the face. So there is a price to pay for too much sun.

So before our trip this summer to SXM, will probably not pre-tan as much this year, apply plenty of sunblock before going outside, wear a big goofy-looking sun hat (Ha,Ha), and spend most of the time in the shade during peak sun intensity hours. May have to change my username too (Ha, Ha).

Last year, 3 of us pre-tanned and one didn't. The 2nd night, at dinner, 3 of us at the table were red-faced and slathered in Aloe; one was pleasantly cool and comfortable. One had applied SPF50 twice in the day - 3 of us applied once, since we had "pre-tanned." Hmmmm :>)

When I had the sunburn a few years back, I posted on line to see if anyone had a suggestion for a home remedy that might hold me over till I got to a pharmacy. A member and occasional poster here who works in the medical field saw my post and suggested the Biafine and told me that was exactly how she happened to know about it. I think we paid about $12.00 or thereabout for a good sized package at the Maho Pharmacy. I don't think I was ever so uncomfortable but the product offered immediate relief. And again, I do typically cover myself with sunscreen before I head out to the beach but I got distracted this time and forgot to go back and finish applying the sunscreen to my lower legs and feet. It hurt to have the sheet touch my legs that first night so you can only imagine how much the suggestion was appreciated. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Google "sun allergy" and you'll get the explanation. It's actually photo-sensitivity. It's hard to figure out because I get the rash near my joints and not necessarily where I got the sunburn or over exposure. It has helped to limit exposure by staying under the umbrella and using a higher SPF. For the longest time, I thought I had a shellfish allergy. Not much you can do once you get the rash except use an anti-histamine topical cream and take Benadryl.

She tried Caladryl lotion, and it didn't do much to relieve the itchiness, and the Benadryl pills (25 mg) didn't do much either. She usually gets it on her arms (biceps), and legs (thighs). She thought it might have been similar to a diaper rash due to perspiration.
One dermatologist took a plug of skin (she still has the scar from 8 years ago) thinking it would reveal what the cause was, but nothing was found.
She was the Doctor that recommended "Total Block" sunscreen, at $40.00 a bottle. She still got the rash after a week.
She just puts up with it now, enjoying her time on the Beach and suffering when she gets home.

i hate those plug tests, the scar never goes away, same with when they take a surface biopsy.

And lest I forget, I've also taken to wearing a big funky sun hat while at the beach or the pool and i do so even here at home. I don't care how silly the hat might look, the wide brim does keep the strongest rays off my face...... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Have also suffered from the "sun allergy" during the last few SXM vacations. Always break out in itchy welts on the upper torso on about the 2nd or 3rd day. Tried switching to several different OTC sunscreens but no success. Dermatologist suggested doubling up on Claritin (antihistamine) during vacation last summer, but again no success. Dermatologist now suggesting I switch to zinc oxide based sunscreen like EltaMD. Will try this for upcoming SXM vacation in June.

We did years ago, but not anymore. We believe the risk of tanning machines is too high. We also use SPF 30 or higher and have never burned.

We too have had the rash each year until two years ago. What we do it find a fresh water shower as soon as we leave the beach or pool and rinse ourselves well. Our doc thinks it's due to sitting/lounging on damp towels and/or damp clothing too long. Who knows?? At least for now it has been working for us.???