As predicted, I did have a frozen treat last night. A small bowl of Coconut Bliss “Mint Galactica” frozen dessert.
I had a bowl of Special K with Red Berries for breakfast this morning. My gut feeling is that I should’ve checked the date on the milk. Uh oh. Maybe I’m better just not knowing. It seemed to taste ok.
I snacked on a bag of almonds around 10 am while getting lots of work done.
(Source)
Katie left a nice comment on last night’s post telling me that I already looked bikini ready. But really, there is one thing that I’m lacking: a tan! I am so ghostly pale.
I’m well aware of the dangers of tanning. I avoid tanning beds and wear SPF 30+ whenever I’m outside.
So rest assured that my bikini prep only includes some sun-less tanning lotion to build a natural glow. I’m also packing lots of sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to wear in Mexico. (Note to self: Buy a fedora asap 
)
Here are a few reasons to be careful in the sun and in tanning beds:
- There is no such thing as a safe tan!
- Repeated unprotected sun exposure can cause sun damage including wrinkles, sagging skin, and spots.
- Sunburns and tanning attack the skin’s DNA, producing genetic defects that can lead to skin cancer.
- 5 sunburns total over the course of a lifetime more than doubles the risk for developing melanoma.
- Tanning salons frequently exceed “safe” UV limits.
- Tanning beds can cause eye problems, including retinal damage.
- The FDA and the CDC advise people to avoid tanning. (Just think about how many people avoid foods that the FDA disapproves of… Hopefully just as many will start avoiding tanning beds!)
Sources include the Skin Cancer Foundation and Health Central
*What do you do to protect yourself while out in the sun?*
COMMENTS
21 Comments
1. Lauren @ Eater not a runner
January 27th, 2010 11:16 AM
I used to love to sit in the sun….but I did not love what it did to my skin! Sunscreen is a must and I usually sit under an umbrella too
2. Jessica
January 27th, 2010 11:16 AM
I am so with you – I am SO PALE. So pale, that almost every single tanner and spray tan make me look very orange. You don’t even want to know the money I’ve spent on tanning product!
3. Julie
January 27th, 2010 11:29 AM
I avoid the sun.
kidding! I wear spf 70 and never spend a lot of time in the sun. I’m not big on the beach and I know I’ll burn anyway so I just don’t go.
4. Shannon
January 27th, 2010 11:48 AM
Thank you for being a safe tanner! I saw your title and was all ready to plead with you not to go tanning. Glad to know you are armed with self-tanner instead
5. Pamela Paige
January 27th, 2010 11:52 AM
Didn’t you learn, Melissa, from staying at Auntie Pam’s to always check the date of the milk before using?????
6. Stephanie
January 27th, 2010 11:54 AM
I always wear lots of sunscreen and try not to lay out too long.
I used to tan because I thought it was all the girl were supposed to do. I had to have a mole removed on my back that was cancerous and now I have a quarter size scare on my back
I embrace my pale skin and am happy to know that when im 30 i wont look 50 because of overtanned leater skin!
7. Melinda
January 27th, 2010 12:12 PM
I wear sunscreen. People have some false ideas about the sun, tanning and their health. I did a handout on this once when I working for the social security admin. Sounds like an odd place to dot his but I worked on employee programs and that meant nutrition and health since I was in school for that.
8. Lisa
January 27th, 2010 12:38 PM
I just wear sunscreen everyday!!
9. Sarah
January 27th, 2010 01:17 PM
In the summer I go from albino white to peachy white. That is my tan..lol!
10. MelissaNibbles
January 27th, 2010 01:48 PM
I can’t say enough about the Jergens Daily Glow Moisturizing Lotion. I put it on every other night as my nightly moisturizer and people always ask me if I tan. I don’t because I think tanning beds are gross germ beds and putting moisturizer on is much easier. I love the Jergens stuff!
11. Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine
January 27th, 2010 01:52 PM
I still haven’t tried Coconut Bliss, but I keep hearing such great things about it on the blogosphere! Looks delicious.
I’ll admit, I love my tan
So bad, I know…I usually just wear SPF 30 so I’m not a complete idiot, but I still like having a little color!
12. Kelly
January 27th, 2010 02:02 PM
I am so pale too! I hate it..but it isn’t worth the tanning ed risk to me. I like the Neutrogena lotion that has a tint to it. I swear I can tell a difference but it might just e wishful thinking!
13. janetha b
January 27th, 2010 02:14 PM
how funny, i was just discussing how bad tanning beds are with my co-workers today! since we are all going to jamaica, they have all been to the tanning bed. not me!
14. bhealthier
January 27th, 2010 02:33 PM
oh my goodness- i would love to get a tan right now, i am so pale! you totally look bikini ready, btw!
I am doing my thesis on Vitamin D… I am in the midst of researching analysis tools for measuring sun exposure on female college athletes.. such a cool vitamin.
Did you know that people “up north” ( of the WV/VA border) are more vitamin D deficient than us down here in the south?? Most likely because the cold weather forces northerners to wear more clothes, causing less exposure to the sun more months out the year
i could go on for hours.
lovely almonds and what the heck is galatica?? It looks yummy- where do i find it?!!?
15. Jenna
January 27th, 2010 05:43 PM
Just an FYI, sitting here trying to figure out what I’m craving and then realize that ALLLLL I want right now is a nice kiwi thanks to one of your recent posts!!
16. The Candid RD
January 27th, 2010 06:52 PM
I’ll admit, I’m not 100% careful about wearing sunscreen. I don’t really burn easily, as I’m Italian, but my face does burn, and I wear 15 on my face, always. When I go to tropical places, like Mexico or Florida, I definitely wear sunscreen, but still, only 15. I also make sure to go out unprotected for 10-15 minutes in the summer, each day, to get my vitamin D!
So you are going to Mexico?? Can I come please?!
17. Di
January 28th, 2010 07:34 AM
You know, it’s funny. My friends have said that I should’ve gone tanning to get a “base” tan before I leave for my vacation and I told them that I’ll be just fine without that. I went a few times before a friend’s wedding 3 years ago, but was so horrified about getting burned that I never stayed in the bed for more than 3 minutes and ended up just wasting money. I wouldn’t go again.
I usually apply SPF 30 or 45 every 45 minutes if I’m at the beach or sitting out in the sun. The moisturizer I use on my face has SPF 30 in it and that’s used daily.
I like your plan – it sounds very similar to mine! For the days I’m out wandering around islands I’m going to bring a travel sized sunscreen with me – if I’m in and out of stores I may not notice if I’m burning so it’ll be good to have on hand.
18. Kiley from Coconut Bliss
January 28th, 2010 08:55 AM
Hi Melissa,
This is Kiley from Coconut Bliss, I wanted to say thanks for including us on your blog.
Blissful Regards!
19. Heather
January 28th, 2010 09:29 AM
I wear sunscreen when I am out in the sun! I also never go to tanning salons – its a waste of money.
Can’t wait to hear about your trip to Mexico!
I do need to be better about putting sunscreen on when I run outside in the summer…sunscreen should be worn all the time – not just when at the beach!
20. Ash @ Good Taste. Healthy Me
January 28th, 2010 12:12 PM
I’m so bad about sun exposure. I’m realllly pale too so I don’t sit out in the sun often but I rarely wear sunscreen during the day. I have it in my facial moisturizer and that’s it…
21. beach tanning lover Ian
March 9th, 2010 12:15 PM
When beach tanning causes any superficial burn, put a stop to sun exposure so as to prevent further deterioration of your skin health state skin damage… read more about beach tanning from my site, see ya there! Btw, I’ve read your site and find it really nice, well done! Wish to share this meaningful quote with your visitors – “It’s not what I do, but the way I do it. It’s not what I say, but the way I say it.”