Tanning after chemo

Tonya36
Tonya36 Member Posts: 66
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer

Okay ladies.  I know some of you can answer my question.  My boyfriend is graduating from college in early May.  I would like to look decent.  He has done so much for me throughout this past year.  I don't want to embarass him.  So....I was wondering about tanning.  I finished chemo Dec. 16th.  I figure the tanning bed will be a no no but what about the spray tans?  Are they toxic?  Does anyone know anything about this?  Some advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Tonya

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  • Member_of_the_Club
    Member_of_the_Club Member Posts: 3,646
    edited March 2009

    Did you have radiation?  That would be the biggest concern with a tanning bed, because the radiation increases your chances of skin cancer.  Plus just using a tanning bed can cause cancer, and you;ve already paid your dues.  I would think that spray on tans would be fine, but I don't know.  I've always embraced my (extreme) paleness.

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  • BethNY
    BethNY Member Posts: 2,710
    edited March 2009

    Spray tanning is fine. We talk about it a TON on the makeup thread in this forum. I recommend going to a spa that has someone who airbrush tans you-- not going to a spray tan booth at Hollywood tans... The airbrush tan comes out much better when someone applies it to you.

    You'll want to schedule for 3 days before your big event, in case on day two they missed any spots, and you have to run back for a quick touch up.

    The full color really comes through on day 2.

    Wear loose fitting crappy clothing to the appt, and dont put on a bra or tight underwear after you get sprayed. Even though you stand there and dry off, your body feels a little damp, almost like when you polish your nails and they are still tacky, so if you put a bra on you'll make lines in the tan.

    Wear a loose t shirt or sweatshirt, and when you get home try to air out naked for 20 minutes or so.... make sure you shower and exfoliate BEFORE the appt, and don't shower till the next day after the appt. They tell you you can shower after 6 hours, but trust me  on this one.. just shower before hand and wait 24 hours.

    Don't use a tanning bed. You beat one cancer, and you don't need another.

    happy tanning!!

    What are you going to wear to the graduation? You should come join us on the fashion thread!

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  • Poppy
    Poppy Member Posts: 405
    edited April 2009

    I finished chemo 12/05, didn't have rads ...and was tanning in March or April of 2006. I did a spray tan while I was still doing chemo and that was just 'ok' looking. I thought it was orange-y.

    I know I probably shouldn't tan, but I live at the beach and I'm going to. If you tan in the sun or a tanning bed, be sure to put a heavy sunscreen on scars or they will darken/redden.

    :)
    Erica

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