Sunbed advice (I'm a guy)

mrtonyface

So I gotta get a tan within the next 2 weeks and I'm gonna use a sunbed for the first time. I'm kinda embarrassed about this as its not something that guys normally do (or is it?).

I have a few questions...but first, I am well aware of the health dangers, so I dont want a lecture. Its not something I plan on doing regularly...or ever again actually.

What can I expect when I go in ? Whats the process ?

Is 2 weeks a long enough time to build up a decent color ? (Im fair skinned)

Thanks in advance!

*Lees*

The tanning shop I go to is always full of men!! Don't be embarrassed, there's nothing wrong with a man using a sunbed!!
Do you usually tan easily in the sun?
I would say go in for 3 minutes your first time anyway! Its so easy to overdo it when your in a sunbed, if your burning you won't feel it untill hours later! Also if you let yourself burn it will mean you will have to wait days to do another one so keep your minutes low and build it up gradually!
Get an accelorating cream too it will help with the tan, they sell them in tanning shops too, pricey enough.. they range from €20 to €100 per bottle in the shop i go to!!
The process is pretty simple, you go in and you can either pay per minute or buy a bulk of minutes that you can use whenever you like!! They usually have the sunbeds in cubicles and they give you a few minutes to get undressed and put on your cream before the sunbed comes on!!
Hope this helps!:D

Dave147

Serious question, well sort of, are you a straight man or gay man? My girlfriend tried to get me to go with her and I flat out refused, wouldn't be caught dead in one. If I want a tan I'll go to the beach on holidays etc.

*Lees*

Dave147 wrote: »

Serious question, well sort of, are you a straight man or gay man? My girlfriend tried to get me to go with her and I flat out refused, wouldn't be caught dead in one. If I want a tan I'll go to the beach on holidays etc.

What does being gay have to do with anything??:rolleyes:

100% of then men I have seen at the tanning shop were normal guys you wouldn't imagine as being sunbed users! I have never seen any camp guys at the tanning shop.... ever!!

tinkerbell

mrtonyface wrote: »

So I gotta get a tan within the next 2 weeks and I'm gonna use a sunbed for the first time. I'm kinda embarrassed about this as its not something that guys normally do (or is it?).

Why do you NEED to get a tan within the next two weeks? I don't understand why anybody would actually need to get a tan.

Why don't you just use fake tan instead? You would look better anyway with fake tan, sunbeds give off a horrible orangey-type tan (yes I know some fake tans make people orange too) but I've always thought that sunbeds give a really weird looking tan.

ravima

two weeks is not long enough. You need four/six sessions of 3 mins each with at least 4 days between sessions to get a base colour.

Also follow advice of LEES and use an indoor lotion.

I do not know what your sexual orientation has to do with it. All are created equal in the eyes of God and all like to look their best.

If you are determined; are aware of the risks; take adequate precautions and do not over do it, then go ahead.

O'Coonassa

*Lees* wrote: »

100% of then men I have seen at the tanning shop were normal guys

No, no they weren't *Lees*, really, they really weren't.

(see South Park episode 708 for further information)

Toto Wolfcastle

The OP asked for advice on using a sunbed. He asked about the process of using a sunbed. He did not ask for his sexual orientation to be questioned, nor did he ask for the sexual orientation of all male sunbed users to be questioned. He specifically asked that you not lecture him about using a sunbed.

Unless you have something to say that answers his question, do not post in this thread. Off topic posts will be deleted and bannings will be given.

Thank you.

O'Coonassa

He quite clearly asked was it normal. It equally quite clearly isn't.

I'm not lecturing him on health issues 'cos he asked me not to.

*Lees*

O'Coonassa wrote: »

It equally quite clearly isn't.

Really?????? How do you know!?
You would be very suprised then at the amount of men who actually go to tanning shops!

OP, as ravima said 2 weeks is probably not long enough especially if your very pale! But as for doing 3 minutes every 4 days, i know we all know the dangers of overuse but doing one every second day should be fine once you stick to shorter times!

O'Coonassa

*Lees* wrote: »

Really?????? How do you know!?

Because *Lees* only a very limited minority of the planet's males have pale skin for one thing. Of that minority the majority aren't vain about their appearance like women are. I'll grant you things are changing though hence my reference to South Park episode 708

speedboatchase

Dave147 wrote: »

Serious question, well sort of, are you a straight man or gay man? My girlfriend tried to get me to go with her and I flat out refused, wouldn't be caught dead in one. If I want a tan I'll go to the beach on holidays etc.

Seriously typical Irish bloke response there, doesnt actually care about his question but wants to assert his manliness over another person, congrats.

mrtonyface

Quite a response! Cheers to those with the helpful comments.

To answer some of the questions asked - No, I'm not gay. Basically, I used to have acne on my back. Thankfully, it completely cleared up about a year ago but a lot of red marks remain. They aren't too bad, but I'm self conscious about them. Because I'm quite pale, it makes them look worse than they are.

Now on to my problem - I'm going away with the ladyfriend to stay with her family in France for a month or so. (well we are going to France for a month, not sure we will stay with the family for the whole time!)

They live on the beach so we will probably spend a lot of time there. So I want to get a bit of color in the hope that it will disguise the red marks. That was a lot of typing for such an uninteresting story! Apologies.

Leprachaun

A bit different than the rest of the advice,but I wouldn't recommend using sun beds at all. It'll lead to premature aging and in 'some' cases with extreme use,skin cancer.

Besides,having pale-ish skin isn't bad at all. It's much more healthy than 'tanned' skin. People are only meant to spend 15 minutes fully exposed to the sun,so you can imagine what even that short time in a sun bed is going to do.


EDIT:Sorry,didn't see that you didn't want a lecture. I'll just say though,that having a 'tan' is actually a bad thing. It's just popular in today's society for some reason,just like it was popular to be pale in Roman times.

mrtonyface wrote: »

Quite a response! Cheers to those with the helpful comments.

To answer some of the questions asked - No, I'm not gay. Basically, I used to have acne on my back. Thankfully, it completely cleared up about a year ago but a lot of red marks remain. They aren't too bad, but I'm self conscious about them. Because I'm quite pale, it makes them look worse than they are.

Now on to my problem - I'm going away with the ladyfriend to stay with her family in France for a month or so. (well we are going to France for a month, not sure we will stay with the family for the whole time!)

They live on the beach so we will probably spend a lot of time there. So I want to get a bit of color in the hope that it will disguise the red marks. That was a lot of typing for such an uninteresting story! Apologies.

I'd recommend getting the red marks removed instead of trying to cover em up with a sunbed tan. There's plenty of skin treatments out there.

mrtonyface

Leprachaun - they are not scars (I think its called hyperpigmentation?) so cant be removed. They will fade in time (they are pretty faded as it is) so any sort of expensive treatment is overkill. They normally dont bother me..just the thought of being on the beach with a load of lovely Frenchys is a bit daunting! Besides, how many treatments are going to show results in a couple of weeks ? None.

jack90210

Another guy here too, I wanna do it too to see if it will help a skin condition. Could anyone recommend a good place in Dublin, where other guys would go. Cheers

Jimmybump

hey, im a regular user of sunbed's i do 1 every 2 weeks an im a 23 year old straight male. Ive seen everything from guys in tracksuits to men in suits doing sunbeds i dont she the shame ? anyway ive being to a few taning shops an the people are professional an really couldnt be arsed who or what you are !

Leprachaun

mrtonyface wrote: »

Leprachaun - they are not scars (I think its called hyperpigmentation?) so cant be removed. They will fade in time (they are pretty faded as it is) so any sort of expensive treatment is overkill. They normally dont bother me..just the thought of being on the beach with a load of lovely Frenchys is a bit daunting! Besides, how many treatments are going to show results in a couple of weeks ? None.

The frenchies will probably appreciate the pale irish guy. Being different than the rest helps with teh ladies. Ah well,tis your choice. :pac:

*Lees*

mrtonyface, If it bothers you so much you should think about heading to a laser clinic and get them to take a look! My mam had a sun spot on her nose and she had a few treatments of laser on it and it's gone now! Of course, 2 weeks isn't enough but maybe you could look into it when you come home!
For now I would say definitely give the sunbeds a go!

tolteq

speedboatchase wrote: »

Seriously typical Irish bloke response there, doesnt actually care about his question but wants to assert his manliness over another person, congrats.

LOOL.

liz51

hey, you should try the sunbeds, they definitely clear up bad skin, worked for a few people i know, and they were just doing them for the tan (i know there are loads of negatives), but just watch out cos i got my bf to do one, hes v. pale too, and his skin was tearing itchy for days after

dlofnep

Go for it mate! Are you just looking for a base tan before you head off on holidays? Don't worry about what people think - Have a bit more confidence in yourself. Lots of guys use sunbeds. There's nothing wrong with wanting to have a tan.

Toto Wolfcastle

Please remember that giving medical advice, including advising someone that sunbeds will improve a skin condition, is against the charter.

OP please see your doctor for advice on improving your skin and make sure you go to a well-recommended tanning place if you wish to use sunbeds.

This thread has gone wildly off-topic. If you wish to discuss the process of using a sun bed open a new thread.

Thread locked.