Asking You About... Tanning

Something you will rarely see me posting or writing about is tanning of any kind - sunless, natural, salon-based, whatever. To be honest, it's a topic I'm a little clueless about when it comes to cosmetics.

Living in the "Valley of the Sun," where 5-6 months of the year the temperature is over 100 degrees, I'm no stranger to tanning trends. Tanning salons are incredibly popular here, and all the college girls are baked to fake orange perfection (a look I can't stand). You practically feel pressured to be dark, or else you stick out in a crowd.

However, I'm also no stranger to the effects of the sun. My own father and grandfather have skin cancer, and must protect themselves every day. I'm also a candidate. Skin cancer rates are on the rise, and my state has the highest occurrence rate in the US, naturally.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm pale as a ghost, but that won't change! I protect myself from the sun daily, and while I've considered sunless tanning, my boyfriend simply insists that my skin is gorgeous the way it is and won't let me near the stuff. I'd never consider sun tanning; it's pure damage to the skin and the top cause of premature aging. I want great skin when I'm 60, something the tanning salon girls won't have without serious surgery!

Do you tan naturally or use sunless tanner? Do you feel you need sun protection every day? Are you a sun worshiper or a vampire? If you're pale, do you embrace it? Would you like to see me investigate budget self-tanners? ;)

Tell all - I want to know what you think! Especially you, silent readers!