Lesser of two evils? Tanning bed vs. spray tan

^^^ That is mortifying

I had never done spray tan before my wedding. I went to Sun Tan City and it turned out really great. I'm pretty much albino but wanted some color. I did a trial and really liked it, and then got it done on Thursday before my Saturday wedding. I didn't run into any problems of it rubbing off onto my dress at that point. ETA: I got the lightest color I could get basically. So no orange for me.

I say do a trial now and see how it affects your skin

@Rachel that is awful! ya I would not get a spray tan, just because of he chance of It rubbing off on my dress or whatever else awful could happen like Rachel said, just do the regular bed tanning, it wont hurt if you are only going a few times....I've been going tanning for my wedding as well

LOL Ross. "I like how you look, what number are you?" "I'm Puerto Rican." "2, I think a 2 then."

Oh, and I used a tanning bed maybe 10 times a few years back. Then I got skin cancer. So yeah...not doing that ever again. Even if it wasn't related, knowing that my skin is susceptible to that is enough to scare me off.

I think for an event this important, I'd go with the tanning bed. (There are pretty much no other events I would deem important enough to use a tanning bed, just for reference.) Do it this time, but don't do it again especially since your family has a history of skin cancer.

I had a serious addiction to tanning in high school (literally went every day, sometimes twice/day). I much prefer how I look tan and this has been a big concern of mine with a January wedding. I might suck it up and go for a few weeks beforehand, but I'm nervous that I'll relapse

I started going to the tanning bed, I know, I know. i was talking to the owner of said salon about deciding between the two myself - The owner said she had her staff give her a spray tan about a month before the wedding she wore a white dress all day and everything was fine. Then she did it for her actual wedding and she didn't take into account the weight of the dress, lighting, etc and same as @Rachel said her dress was orange from the sweat mixture and she started dripping.....tanning bed for the win.

Neither.... I have done everything when it comes to tanning... spray tans, beds, lotions, and the BEST option is loving tan. It is a moose that you apply with a mit. It last a long time too. Do it a day or two ahead and it shouldn't transfer. It it easy to apply because it has a "guide" color so you can see if you missed anywhere. It will look rather dark when you apply it but do not freak as soon as you shower you will look like you spent a week at the beach.

http://usa.lovingtan.com/

Ps. I know I sound like a infomercial but it's legit! I love it!

Oh and make sure you have someone there to help with your back and EXFOLIATE before you apply....but that apply to spary tans also.

Spray tan won't sweat onto your dress as long as you SHOWER well between your spray tan and wedding

I'm actually doing bed tan. I don't trust spray tan to not turn me orange. I tan so easily so I am only going 3-4 times and for about 5-6 minutes each time. I never ever go tanning. I have twice in my life, once before going on vacation in Jan of 2008 and now. I will probably never use them again. HAHA.

If you have a history of skin cancer in your family, DO NOT for the love of God GO TO A TANNING BED! It is 100% not worth the risk. I feel like I say this on every single tanning post. But I'm an esthetician and its my job.

I work at a salon and do spray tans. The key is to find a person you are comfortable with to do it and trials for sure to get your color spot on. Also, do it a 2-3 days before the wedding and nothing should rub off. Exfoliate well before you go, take a shower or two before the big day, and MOISTURIZE religiously and you will be fine. I personally use Norvell solutions and their pre and post care products on my clients and its by far the best I've ever used.

What Emily said is true. I got my spray tan the morning of on Thursday. Showered on Friday night. And I had no problems with it sweating onto my dress.

Can't people just be happy with the color they came in?

Use a stand up bed, If you are prone to acne. I am not and the last time I did a lay down tanning bed, my whole back broke out. Like total acne. And it lasted for the whole summer... Just an FYI.

I've been having this same thought - but I think I'm going to embrace the white. I know I'll burn in a bed (I've tried so many times... burned every time), and my one and only spray tan experience was just awful!

I just read a study that said everytime you use a tanning bed your risk of skin cancer goes up 20% each time. Not sure where I read it. I tanned too much in the sun and in tanning booths over the years. I have really minimized my time out in the sun over the past few years, but want that bronze glow like everyone else.

I just tried Versaspa the other night, it is supposed to be the most natural looking spray tan. I've been spray tanned individually, and at other spray booths, and after trying Versaspa I do believe it lives up to it's claims! Not many tanning salons in my area have it, and I had to go a little out of my way for it, but it was worth it, and I will be using it for my wedding. It won't rub off on your dress if you go 24-48 hours before and shower.

@purplekitten are you putting on makeup for the wedding? can't you just be happy with how you came out naturally? Are you wearing a wedding dress? Can't you just be happy in jeans and a t-shirt? What about getting your hair done? Nails done? What are wrong with any of these things naturally?

Oh how I used to love the tanning bed. I would go every day after work back in the late 90's and it was the most relaxing part of my day.

Spray tans make me nervous. I've never gotten one, but tons of my friends have and I've seen them look decent, but I've also seen them look like shit. Usually the tans that have looked decent, are only slightly different than the person's normal skin tone, so I don't really see the point in spending the money. One of my friends was a bridesmaid in a wedding and got it done at a high end salon and not only did she look orange, but it was streaky.

I would vote tanning bed, just don't let yourself burn. Also, make sure there is 48 hours in between your sessions. Dermatologists have prescribed tanning beds for acne, so maybe it will help.