I am very fair-skinned and grew up in the Arizona desert and got more bad sunburns than I care to remember growing up in my never-ending quest for a tan (both my siblings could tan easily which grated me no end.) If I could do it all over again, I'd have never exposed myself like that. I had a pre-cancerous mole removed from my back last year and my face has lines that I shouldn't have yet. The only saving grace is that I inherited good skin so it kind of offsets the wrinkles a little bit. Needless to say, I don't go out without sunblock these days. In regards to SAD, they sell lamps that you can use to get the brightness of the sun without the damaging UV light that tanning beds emit. My sister got one years ago and it worked miracles for her. Much better than a tanning bed with is only going to damage your skin in the long run. By the way, no matter what they say, there is no such thing as a safe tan. I don't let my white skin keep me from wearing shorts, etc. and as for those rude people who yell "get a tan" at me, they can put it where the sun isn't shining.

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Esther

I just read about Mystic Tan in another forum. I need to use instant tanners - I have vitiligo (sp) - have had it for years, but now my arms and legs are looking mottled. white patches are spreading - I am extremely self concious about it.
so, I had used the instant tanners in the past, but it was such a bother and messy that I just wear long pants and jackets all the time.
I think I'll try this Mystic Tan thing and see if it helps even out the coloring. Supposed to be a booth spray thing that hits all over.

I'll let you all know how it goes. I plan to get there this week.

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Mary Kay
2009 - 223
Valentines day goal - 214

Funny that you should mention Mystic Tan, Mary Kay. That's the first thing that's come along that I've seriously considered doing as far as putting some color on my skin. I just wonder if they can do it in various shades. I'd like a really light coat, nothing too dark.

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Esther

I think I saw where they help determine a good color for you. here is a write up from my local place:
mystic tan

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Mary Kay
2009 - 223
Valentines day goal - 214

Alright, so I'm dark skinned... that German olive skin instead of the fair skin of the Aerian race, but I still tan. I usually only do it during winter and spring... it really helps with the vitamin D deficiency that occurs from the lack of sunlight in Ohio during the winter. It brings up my mood, and like many of the previous posts mentioned, I feel better about how I look. I love being super dark during the summer... guess I'm falling into one of societies "beauty quotas", but I like it.

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Megan Rose
Back and really to lose some weight!
250(sw)/196(cw)/175(gw1)/150(fgw)

LOL, the Mystic Tan thing reminds me of the episode where Ross went to get a tan on "Friends" It was hysterical. He went in and didn't know how to count correctly and then turn around. He ended up getting double sprayed on his front. Then Later he went to even it out and get sprayed on the back, but didn't know which nozzles to have his back to. He ended up getting sprayed on the front again. It was soooooooo funny!!!! I love that show!!!

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to be brutally honest... i HATE the smell of the self tanners i have used.. seems to permiate the skin and even after showering .. days later i can STILL smell some wierd funky scent.

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kims SECOND journal is HERE
kims new blog
KIMS BLOG !!
SUGARFREE BLOG

I just did the mystic Tan thing before going to Curves (they are just a few doors apart). Strange, but does seem to have made a difference. My 'albino' spots already seem to be blending in. I'll know later.

If you go, they show you a video telling you to use the provided eye covers and nose plug - of which there were none at my place. Get some before you go just in case. When the spray comes, instinct makes you breath in. I'm going to get my own to protect my eyes and nose next time.

Barb - I did both sides.....

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Mary Kay
2009 - 223
Valentines day goal - 214

oooh how exciting ... we have a REAL test case! keep us informed mary kay... how much did it cost? did it tan your elbows and knees too dark.... did it get on your palms and where it SHOULDNT normally looked tan?

cost = $30 treatment , although it was a 2 for one startup - I'll use the second one next later this week. Still beats ruining my jammies like I was doing.

they recommend weekly once you start - yeah, sure. maybe monthly if it doesn't fade too much. initially, a couple treatments to get going.

you put 'blocker' cream on your fingers and toes. so far, I'm not seeing uneven areas. My arms are tanner, and I can see I need to spread my legs out a little more (or do a side stance). Think it will take a couple visits to really see the result.

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Mary Kay
2009 - 223
Valentines day goal - 214

Hey all!

Like Mary Kay, I did the Mystic Tan this weekend. A place near me - "Palm Beach Tan" has a promotion - 4 Mystics free. No obligation and you don't have to buy a package. The thought is that after 4, you'll get sucked in and want to continue.

That being said, I went for the first time on Sunday and...
LOVE IT!! I've never done a self tanner and the beds are out for me b/c I have fair skin (and that whole skin cancer thing)

Highly recommend it. No orange look. No streaks. Great Great Great!!

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ok. later and I LOVE the mystic tan! the white spots have literally disappeared into the color mix. I missed a couple spots, and probably need to be a little more liberal with the blocking cream.
But I intend to do this over the summer. Maybe once every 2 weeks. To get past my sensitivity over the missing pigment, would be so worth it to me.

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Mary Kay
2009 - 223
Valentines day goal - 214

mary kay.. thats awesome! my mom got that condition really really late in her life.. never did find out what caused it.. she had much BIGGER problems to worry bout at the time.. but it did cross my mind from time to time when i was takin care of her .. just what would cause that spotting...
i am soooooooooooo happy that you found a quick and effective way to camo the spots!
thanks for the info ..