Should I tan before going on vacation?

So I've never gone any place tropical and for my birthday/valentines/ho neymoon, my husband wants to take me on a Caribbean cruise. I have tanned in the past but have since stopped due to the obvious health risks. I love looking tan but hate the idea of killing my skin. Anyway, my question is: Should I tan before I go on vacation? I really don't want to burn while I'm down there but I also don't really want to go tanning. I live in Maine and of course its the dead of winter so I'm pale as can be.
Thanks! less

Working up a light base tan before going on vacation will help to prevent a burn, but if you don't cover up and apply sunblock, a burn is inevitable... So, if it was me, I would for sure, but it all depends on what you feel comfortable with. What kind of complexion do you have? less

I wouldn't worry so much about getting a "base tan" as getting a really good quality sunblock. The reality is... any tan=sun damage and increases your risk of skin cancer. A base tan doesn't protect you from anything, barely equaling the protection of an SPF 4 sunscreen.

The best way to protect yourself from a burn AND permanent skin damage is using a good sunblock and reapplying often if you stay outside for an extended time. Consider an umbrella while you are out by the pool or on the beach if you are especially pale. less

I just came back from a Caribbean cruise, and I have porcelain skin that turns red if I think about the sun.


This is my wisdom, take it or leave it:

Buy sunscreen before you get on the boat--and not vanity sunscreen, something around 35-45. Apply it BEFORE you get out in the sun so you don't have to think about it once you're on the islands (put it on with your bathing suit--or better, have your husband apply it for you.) Apply it every 4-6 hours, more frequently if you're swimming or doing sports that involve sweat. Don't forget those weird places you'd never think you'd burn--like your ears or your calves. Your ears really hurt when they peel, okay? Don't forget them. And don't forget your back--especially if you're going to be snorkeling on those lovely islas. If your hubby won't lube you up, get one of those spray on sunscreens.

Wear sunglasses, because if you can't see anything there's no point in being on the islands

Wear some kind of lip protectant (a lot of chapsticks have sunscreen, so do a lot of lipsticks) because, YES your lips can burn and that hurts, too.

Bring aloe and skin moisturizer, because even if you don't burn, the sun will dry out your skin, and that makes it even more vulnerable. Moisturize frequently and generously. The aloe is for when you forget your sunscreen

You will get a base tan from gentle frequent short term exposure to the sun; if you're outside in the sun from 4-6 every day, you're doing a much better tanning job than if you bake yourself from 12-1.


You can always go back to the boat if you get too burnt to get a coverup shirt/hat/more sunscreen.

And, just think: if you get really burnt on the islands, you're going to be in way too much pain to enjoy the rest of your trip and that would totally totally suck. less

Thanks for the info! I would much rather just use sunblock so I'm glad I asked first. I hope you don't mind me asking but how did you like the cruise? I've heard very mixed reviews on some of the different lines.

Oh and ear burns sound terrible less

I just came back from a Caribbean cruise, and I have porcelain skin that turns red if I think about the sun.


This is my wisdom, take it or leave it:

Buy sunscreen before you get on the boat--and not vanity sunscreen, something around 35-45. Apply it BEFORE you get out in the sun so you don't have to think about it once you're on the islands (put it on with your bathing suit--or better, have your husband apply it for you.) Apply it every 4-6 hours, more frequently if you're swimming or doing sports that involve sweat. Don't forget those weird places you'd never think you'd burn--like your ears or your calves. Your ears really hurt when they peel, okay? Don't forget them. And don't forget your back--especially if you're going to be snorkeling on those lovely islas. If your hubby won't lube you up, get one of those spray on sunscreens.

Wear sunglasses, because if you can't see anything there's no point in being on the islands

Wear some kind of lip protectant (a lot of chapsticks have sunscreen, so do a lot of lipsticks) because, YES your lips can burn and that hurts, too.

Bring aloe and skin moisturizer, because even if you don't burn, the sun will dry out your skin, and that makes it even more vulnerable. Moisturize frequently and generously. The aloe is for when you forget your sunscreen

You will get a base tan from gentle frequent short term exposure to the sun; if you're outside in the sun from 4-6 every day, you're doing a much better tanning job than if you bake yourself from 12-1.


You can always go back to the boat if you get too burnt to get a coverup shirt/hat/more sunscreen.

And, just think: if you get really burnt on the islands, you're going to be in way too much pain to enjoy the rest of your trip and that would totally totally suck. less

Working up a light base tan before going on vacation will help to prevent a burn, but if you don't cover up and apply sunblock, a burn is inevitable... So, if it was me, I would for sure, but it all depends on what you feel comfortable with. What kind of complexion do you have? less