i always like to go on the sunbed before i go, it also helps me to tan quicker and helps prevent me burning. So if i was you go a little brown and it may also stop you from standing out. The only thing i find with self tan products is they all have a funny smell

I'd go with the self-tanning products and avoid the pre-holiday sunbed damage (which affords you only a tiny protection when you do reach your destination)
http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/healthyliving/sunsmart/staysafe/sunbeds/

I agree they do all have a distinctive smell underlying them though! Mind you, it wears off. The products do reduce that just-arrived-today look

I agree with night nurse adele. I always go to the sunbed before I go. It does get your skin used to the sun and I do tan quite quickly when I get there. Obviously I still use a sun cream but I find that I don't burn as easily as I used to before using sun beds. There is a danger with sun beds of course as there is with the sun but if you are sensible and don't over do it my opinion is that the risk is worth it. As to what is sensible I'm not an expert but we travel on the 25th December and I've been going to the sunbed for 10 mins twice a week for a month. That's enough for me to take it steady when I get on the beach but still come back with a super tan.

Whatever route you choose to take - I hope you have a super holiday.

Fake tan is the best way to go I think I wouldn't use a sunbed. That said as careful as I am I still like it when I tan even though I know it's not safe.

I have very fair skin that burns easily . I do use a sunbed for a few session ( 6 mins a time )before I go and find it helps greatly in avoiding burning when I'm on holiday.

Being Red haired I never get much colour anyway so I still use a tanning moisturiser after I shower on holiday too .

I have to say I normally go on the sunbed before my holidays as it does make a difference, I tan quicker and dont burn at all also I dont stand out when I arrive!!!!!! The 1 time I didnt do this and I hardly tanned at all, but when I did it took forever!!!!!

I know its not great for your skin, but I think we are all a little vain when it comes to our 'holiday colour'.

I go on the 27 Dec and not been on 1 yet so best I get started else I will be the English milk bottle on the beach!!!!

hi lynwestie i am fair skinned and a red head and dont really get a tan which self tan product do you use ? thanks anita woody

Hi Anita .

At an atttempt to get the natural look rather than tango I just use one of the ever growing selection of body lotions containing a small amount of fake tan in the ligher colour:rofl .

Out of what I would call the normal price range Ive used the johnsons one but find that a little orange if you use it everyday so that one I found better to apply every other day. The garnier one I quite liked and this year after it being voted no. 2 on how to look good naked I brought the Olay everyday sunshine . The application and smell is the best so far but didnt find it as effective so Ithink I will go for the garnier again . Dove also do one but I havnt tried that.

lyn

I use the dove 1, they do 2, 1 for lighter skin and 1 for darker skin, I find the 1 for darker skin works better tho and gives a better colour the other 1 is so light you can hardly notice it. You may smell a bit like a biscuit for a while though ( its better than alot of the fake tan smells though).

I normally put it on before I go to bed and then shower in the morning to get rid of the smell I would never put it on during the day and leave it.

Thought this be help.

i usually buy lots of garnier products while in goa to bring home they are really cheap out there compared to the uk i wonder if they do the self tan one ? anita woody