Suntan Tips

[RedRackam 0]

I've never really been able to get the hang of getting a good tan in thailand, has anyone got any tips (by the way I'm not intererested in any lectures on skin cancer )

 

The sun as we know in Thailand is fierce, way more than we get in Europe, even the hottest parts.

 

Basically I tan pretty good once I get rid of my white skin but there lies the problem - how do I get over the hump (before the skin turns) without getting burnt?

 

Suncream stops one burning but does it also stop you getting a tan, or does it just nullify the sun enough for you to get brown without burning?

 

What I normally do is spend about 30 mins in the sun each day which makes me turn slowly without burning but then I always get to the end of my 2 weeks feeling that I could have been a lot browner.

 

Would it work if I use say a factor 10-15 and spend 1-2 hours in the sun, then when I turn I can just dump the cream?

 

Any tips folks?

[Eneukman 1]

On previous trips I used to start with factor 15 going down to factor 12 and maybe 8. I would spend a good part of the day soaking up the sun but would reapply the suncream frequently and always after swimming.

 

My last trip was to find somewhere to stay so I kept my sunbathing to the mornings - a maximum of 2 1/2 to 3 hours per day and certainly after 7 weeks or so I felt I could have been browner, but the weather wasn't exactly brilliant towards the end of the 7 weeks.

 

I would say that staying out in the sun for longer and reapplying the suncream on a regular basis will help get you a better tan. I wouldn't drop the suncream completely but rather reduce the factor number as your skin gets used to the sun. As always, it is vital that you don't allow your skin to turn red - but you know that already If you feel your skin "burning", apply more suncream.

 

Alan

[marleyboy 140]

personally i go on the beach for about 3/4 hours a day! (in the morning about 9 to 12ish) ill start off for a few days using protection 25 or even 30 then when i have a bit of colour i will go down to about spf 15 or maybe even 10 after a week or two. i love the sun! but ! in thai it can get mega hot! (im from uk mind you!) so i rarely (if ever!) sunbathe after 1 in the afternoon! and like the last poster says keep re-applying the cream! especially after swimming or if youre sweating your rocks off!ill be going again in october, i last went in march/april so it wont be as hot in october! april is a little too hot!

[yselmike 397]

stay out of the sun between 11and3.have a few early nights

and get up early get some sun, have a break during the hottest time of the day

[RedRackam 0]

Yep, good tips fellas, thanks.

 

However don't think I'll be able to do any sunbathing at 9am in the morning or even 12 for that matter, usually wake up around 1pm-2pm.

 

Also one thing I've never been able to work out is what happens when it's cloudy (light coloured clouds, not dark rainy ones). I believe it it's still possible to burn in that weather but is it possible to tan as well?

[RedRackam 0]

PS. Why have I got a mick flag next to my handle, it should show the mighty Cross of St George

[BongoBill9999 0]

Click your name at the log-in

Click "edit my profile"

Change your country from Ireland to England

That should be it

 

Bill

[rkt 0]

I take it easy for the first week building up each day then I just lie in it all day untill I am blacker than any Thai I have ever seen.

 

After a couple of weeks It's a standing joke between me and my Thai friends, I say me Thai, you English , or you German, always gets them laughing.

 

I don't use any cream except a little on my bald head for the first couple of days, but thats me , I wouldn't recomend this to any one as every one as different skin.

 

[RedRackam 0]

PS. Why have I got a mick flag next to my handle, it should show the mighty Cross of St George

Yes, that's better thanks.

 

Think I'd rather be Angolan than Irish

[farman 11]

I think an hour or two during the hottest part of the day with the old suntan creme on is long enough for someone to get a tan over there............

 

Dont forget to put cream on your face.... he he

 

[RedRackam 0]

What about the 'cloud question'

 

I know you've can get really burnt when there's cloud cover and no sun (still got the scars to prove it from when I was young!), but can you still tan?

 

I think so, but at less of a rate than if the sun was out, but has anyone got any concrete information?

[rayton 0]

i've been told that visiting a sun bed shop a few times before a trip will give you a mild tan and help you stop getting burned, and therefore allow you more time in the sun to get a decent tan. sounds like it might just eliminate those 1st few days when you are shitting it about getting burnt. anyone tried this method or are you all like me and couldn't really give a shit?

[Eneukman 1]

What about the 'cloud question'

 

I know you've can get really burnt when there's cloud cover and no sun (still got the scars to prove it from when I was young!), but can you still tan?

 

I think so, but at less of a rate than if the sun was out, but has anyone got any concrete information?

You can still get badly sunburnt under a cloudy sky. I got a superb tan walking in Scotland a few years ago. 2 days were hot and sunny and the third was one of those really muggy, cloudy days that had you totally dehydrated after half an hour's walkin.

 

Including a couple of essential refreshment stops (at the only 2 bars on my route) it took me about 8 or 9 hours to walk a distance of 21 or 22 miles. I then sank a pint of lager, a pint of orange squash and lemonade and probably the best part of a pint of water within 20 minutes or so.

 

Alan

[growler 0]

Yes, that's better thanks.

 

Think I'd rather be Angolan than Irish

They will be dancing on the streets of Luanda.

[RedRackam 0]

They will be dancing on the streets of Luanda.

Very droll, Gggggrowler

[BENJI 8]

Glad to see you're not actually Irish.

 

What will your next exciting topic be about? Tips for packing your suitcase or something like that?

 

You're obviously not the sharpest tool in the box.

[RedRackam 0]

Glad to see you're not actually Irish.

 

What will your next exciting topic be about? Tips for packing your suitcase or something like that?

 

You're obviously not the sharpest tool in the box.

Well, in my experience of message boards the more views and the more sub-posts the more people find it interesting. Therefore the thread can be deemed as a success.

 

But let's all wait with baited breath for the thread that you start to see how thought provoking it is.

 

PS. Didn't take long for someone to take the bait on the Irish jibe. However, at least one of your countrymen has a bit of style and wit about him with his reply.

[farman 11]

Glad to see you're not actually Irish.

 

What will your next exciting topic be about? Tips for packing your suitcase or something like that?

 

You're obviously not the sharpest tool in the box.

Oooooooooooo.....!

 

Handbags............!

[TURBO 1]

The sunbed trick is useful for 'hardening' your skin before you go into the sun . It will help stop you burning for the first few days but it actually slows the process of getting a proper tan - something to do with it putting out a different kind of radiation from natural sunlight . It takes around 5 x 30 minute sunbed sessions a week apart to be of any use so unless you have free access to one it could be expensive

 

Personally I don't really like sunbathing - bores me to tears . I've got very fair skin & I burn easily so I normally use SPF 30 . I did use my sisters sunbed a few times before a holiday to Florida & it did help stop me burning for a few days but I still ended up getting a burning at a water park .

[pentire 1]

Don't any of the Sun Lotion manufacturers have a wbsite to help you guys out

At least you shall find information compiled from years of scientific & practical research for your type of skin complexion as opposed to members (views) who could be anything from Anglo Saxon to Afro Caribean