more of a health/beauty question | ExpatWoman.com
 

more of a health/beauty question

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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 July 2011 - 14:58

I have been advised that before moving over to UAE, especially as it is still pretty warm over there at the momement, that I should take to the sun beds here in the UK for a few weeks so that I already have a bit of a tan. This will apparently help my skin adapt to the extra UV over there and so I don't burn and peel like a lobster in the first week.

I have also been advised by a completely different person that I shouldn't really bother with sun cream in the UAE because my skin will 'get used to it' and by covering up with sun cream every day I would actually be hindering my body at adapting to the new environment.

Is there any truth to this? And what have you guy done?

I'm not a sun worshipper by any means but I am naturally very pale skinned and do burn quickly on summer days in UK before it settles down into a tan. I'm going for mid-career and managment levels so I need to look good, not boiled!
I was also thinking I need an all over tan because I don't want to be struggling on what tops etc I can wear due to stupid tan lines (obviously I'll dress modestly)..I mean I dread walking around with golen brown face and lower half of arms and hands and then seriously pasty white everywhere else >_<
I have already bought a bikini that's pretty strappy to get maximum exposure but I'm not sure how to go about topping up my tan whilst living over there? Are there even any beauty salons that do tanning?! I doubt it's an indutry that's in demand......And if not, short of having to rent a villa with a secluded garden....how else would you go about 5mins sun bathing every few days?

447
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 August 2011 - 09:39
hi shahz, yes, definately wear it under your makeup. you could try a spray tan. there are plenty of beauty salons here, im sure you'll find a soloution :-)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 August 2011 - 23:14
Thanks for taking the time to reply ladies. I'll hold my hands up that at the end of the day it comes down to vanity. Personally speaking, I'm married into an Asain family and have been hearing for the last 6years how "cute" my pale skin is. Whenever we take a family photo together I just look plain ill! The dark eye bags from having two young children doesn't help lol. I'm also pretty freckly come summer months which I don't like. I've been getting a bit of natural sun over here in UK just pottering around town regularly and have a slightly sun-kissed look as opposed to proper brown. Mostly on my face and arms though lol! To be honest I don't think I've ever been in the sun long enough to go dark! I think I'm more bothered at trying to get all my body the same colour than how I go about it. I'm tempted to try fake tan and a bit of bronzer on my face but I've only ever used the moisturizer with hint of tan not an actual 100% fake tan lotion. May have to experiment. Do you guys wear sun cream under your make up??
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 01 August 2011 - 23:10
Thanks CT. I remember it so clearly. I found another video on U tube, very confronting! Not for the faint hearted though http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8SAM1pcBKs&feature=related
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 01 August 2011 - 12:25
Sunbeds are deadly. There was a 21 year old girl who did a campaign on TV in my home country the day before she died of skin cancer from using a tanning bed. Clare Oliver (26): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clare_Oliver And a very moving interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KmHEJXYZrQ&feature=related
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 August 2011 - 10:35
I agree with the pale and interesting look over here. I've always used spray tan before coming to Dubai as I have pale freckly skin but have struggled to buy home done fake tan spay. When I asked in a pharmacy the other day they said they don't sell it because most people want pale skin. They actually sold more skin bleacher, I think thats what she called it. If I was you I'd wear at least Factor 50 every day and definitely SPF on your face. I've been here 3 weeks and already am getting an ok tan. Ok its not like the blitzed tan you get when you're going on your annual 2 week holiday but then what is the rush:-)
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 01 August 2011 - 09:37
Yes I agree with all the other ladies. Sunbeds are deadly. There was a 21 year old girl who did a campaign on TV in my home country the day before she died of skin cancer from using a tanning bed. I have never forgotten it!! Slap on the highest sunscreen you can when you go out. Pale skin is back in vogue now. You will also preserve your skin by protecting it and prevent wrinkles later in life :-)
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 31 July 2011 - 21:40
Sunbeds are just not healthy - period. There's nothing wrong with being pale. It's too hot to be outside for any length of time at the moment anyway.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 31 July 2011 - 21:10
I am NOT fair skinned (I have olive type skin and tan nicely brown) and here's what I do to get a tan that lasts: -ALWAYS WEAR SUNSCREEN. I am not fair skinned and I use FPS 60, clear spray. Even when I already have a tan. -When you go to the beach/pool - (for fair skin - but I do it for my skin too) stick with the highest SPF you can possibly find and FOLLOW THE LABEL as to when to re-apply. Stick to the high SPF also after you get the tan you are aiming to get - Your tan will stay longer. -For everyday use, stick with a high SPF moisturizer and REAPPLY during the day ( again, follow label!) -Go to the beach/pool between 7 and 10 AM. Yes, that's early, but that won't harm you and won't burn you. If it does, leave earlier the next day. Afternoon after 4 pm is OK too but during the summer I find it nearly impossible to stay out for too long in Dubai unless I am IN the water - which defies the purpose of getting a tan! -Moisturize after sunbathing :) Good luck and good tanning!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 July 2011 - 20:57
Many thanks for the replies ladies. I dont think they meant any harm by it. Some were from Uk friends, the sun cream comment was from someone raised in UAE who doesnt ever remember being given sun cream but has coloured skin naturally. I may still be vein enough to use a tanning salon so that most of me is the same colour and use sun cream or i may use a fake tan and sun cream. Anyone know ones that are good for pale skin so i dont look orange? I may decide to go au nateral but im ur typical snow white with dark hair and pale skin and look like death warmed up most mornings thanks to kids lol.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 31 July 2011 - 19:57
I am so pale I would describe my colouring as fish belly blue. Keep out of tanning beds, they are deadly. You will cope just fine in the heat and if they are friends giving you this advise, I would find new friends
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 31 July 2011 - 19:49
Absolutely shocked and appalled by what people have told you. You absolutely need to slap on the sun block - you still get a tan with this and even through light clothing! You should always use a moisturizer with SPF in it on your face and hands anyway.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 31 July 2011 - 15:29
Here here!
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 31 July 2011 - 15:07
OMG! People are giving you crazy advice - you would end up with skin cancer. The sun is very strong here and if you are fair skinned you can feel your skin burning just walking from car to building etc. ALWAY wear sunscreen - you will still get colour. There are tanning salons here if you want to do it but best option is to fake it until you build up a bit of a tan. Sisters Beauty salon do good fake tan - St Tropez etc There is a tanning salon in Beach Centre which has sunbeds and the automatic spray tanning booths too. You may be surprised when you get here and change your attitude. People really admire my Snow White skin!
 
 

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