Pale Blues

It is so hard to be pale in a bronzing world. I am even guilty for going to tanning salons to try to become a color. It makes me so mad when people say they are pale when their pale color is my tan color. You aren't pale unless you go out in the sun and glow like a light bulb. Why aren't there more pale people with all the knowledge we know about skin cancer? Why do I have to feel like I have to hide my skin in the summer like it's a disease? Somedays I wake up and I feel pretty good and actually am brave enough to wear a t-shirt. Then I see tan people everywhere and it makes me feel ugly. I can tan, but I burn very badly..and not to mention freckle. I don't understand self tanners either. Of course I've tried dozens of them and they all are the same. You never look natural. I feel very icky waiting for it to dry and the smell is unbearable. Try going swimming with one on your skin. I learned that the hard way. You come out white!! This has kind of turned into a rant...but does anyone else feel like me??

It will be another 20-30 years before you gain the advantage, but you won't be visiting the plastic surgeon to get rid of the damage that all of these tanned people will have.

I also have this pale problem. In fact I tried tanning like 10 different time, and ALWAYS ended up buring very badly. I even had to go to the emergency room the next day after tanning form burns. It's not cool.

But I suppose I have just recently learned that WHO CARES if you are pale? You've got people that love you JUST the way you are. No matter what. You dont need to go tanning to make your skin change colors.

But yes, everytime I am out in the sun, I burn. I have to have very high SPF lotion on at all times during summer. And I also have tons of freckles. Especially on my shoulders. But it's cute. lol.

We went to Florida for vacation not too long ago, and I actually got sun poisening. lol...It was horrible. I was totally a "tourist".

I have the same problem...pale red-head with freckles. I easily burn, and then just turn white again. I've been wanting to try the new Natural Glow body lotion to see if it works. I just try not to care about what other people think. Its really really hard, but I try really really hard to do it and thats what counts I guess. Make friends with people who make you feel good about who you are and ditch the ones who give you a hard time because you are not what society thinks is beautiful. Love your skin and just think about how great we'll look in twenty years when everyone else looks like old leather!!!

I know, I try not to care and I do have people that love me and my boyfriend doesn't care and he loves me very much. I guess it's the fact that people stare at me out in public like some kind of alien. I have very light blue eyes that glow in the sun as well. So not only does my skin glow, so do my eyes. Maybe I do look a little freakish.

Originally Posted by rachelh1018

I know, I try not to care and I do have people that love me and my boyfriend doesn't care and he loves me very much. I guess it's the fact that people stare at me out in public like some kind of alien. I have very light blue eyes that glow in the sun as well. So not only does my skin glow, so do my eyes. Maybe I do look a little freakish.

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This is kind of funny. you should send me a pic of you. lol. Because you sound like my twin.

People stare because you're individual!

I would say that they are envious of you being able to be different in your own way!

Originally Posted by rachelh1018

I know, I try not to care and I do have people that love me and my boyfriend doesn't care and he loves me very much. I guess it's the fact that people stare at me out in public like some kind of alien. I have very light blue eyes that glow in the sun as well. So not only does my skin glow, so do my eyes. Maybe I do look a little freakish.

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You can look at the staring in two way - either they are staring because you're the elephant man (which I doubt very much) or you're beautiful and unique like a super model (which is what I vote for ).

Pleeeeease don't damage your beautiful skin by trying to tan anymore!
When you're older, you'll appriciate having looked after your skin better than all these people who still go out and fry themselves in the sun. I just don't understand why people don't get how bad doing that is for you.
I think you should be proud of your uniqueness.

I am actually the palest person I've ever known..For years I've always been the palest of all our friends..I am pretty self concsious about it. I hadn't ever gone tanning before this year..I had a trip planned to go to Ottawa and all my friends there are always all tanned and nice looking..So in the pictures I'm always basically glowing and it really doesn't look right to me..And I'm embarassed to wear skirts in the summer because my legs are so pale, I'm sure they blind people!!

So I finally broke down and started to go tanning in a salon..I've been going for over a month..and am still just a little less than my natural paleness.
It does help me feel a little better about myself though...

I am worried about the long term effects...Eeeek!! Am I stupid for doing this?? My boyfriend really doesn't care..he loves me in all my pale glory!

I'm pale myself and it doesn't bother me, plus i never lie in the sun anyway because of the damage it can cause.

Weve got a guy at work here who's a sun worshiper and now he's older you can tell he is

Nope! I like being pale and interesting. In a world of sun worshippers, it's nice to be able to stand out in a crowd. There are so many bottle-blonde orange-u-TANs out there that I like to be able to walk down a street and really feel attractive!!

Speaking from the older and wiser side of tanning.....
I have never been to tanning booths, yes I'm winter pale right now and being a gardener my back, arms and legs will get quite "tan" during the summer but I protect my face and neck. I just bought a hat for gardening that protects to UV 50 plus!!!
Why is this so important you might be young and want to be tan but trust me once you hit your late 30's this sun damage really will start to show on your face. I'm a twin and my sis is more a sun worshipper and many people thinks she is older du to the wrinkles on her face!!! I also have a blond haired freind who is just 41 and her face shows sun damage too.
Just be happy when you are older like me (48) that you face will have minimal damage due to keeping it protected!!! Unfortunately I can't say that about my back and shoulders!!!

I agree. I think that being pale is soooo much prettier than looking orange and fake!

Originally Posted by Jenny82

I agree. I think that being pale is soooo much prettier than looking orange and fake!

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I would never want to look orange and fake...but I do wish I had more of a colour instead of being so pale I'm clear!!

Everyone has something they're self-conscious about...the trick is learning to feel good about it anyway.

I am actually Sun deprived and im suffering from it!
I need to be out in the sun for atleast a few hours a day or else i get depressed honestly!

Unfortunately because i dont get much sunshine in germany i have become allergic to it.
I have to wear UV 60+
I miss the days where i used to be all dark and not worry about getting a rash

To make it worse, i have very white skin, and very dark hairs so i feel like a monkey!

PALE IS BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!

You know, people used to cover their faces in lead paint to make themselves look paler. People who were tan were peasants, because they had to work outside all day, and the rich folk would sit inside out of the sun. They even had little screens to put in front of their faces when they sat in front of the fire so it wouldn't redden their skin and melt the wax makeup they used to look even whiter. Lots of places, in lots of cultures, and lots of times, have valued pale skin over tanned skin. And not just caucasian folk.

My great-grandmother died of skin cancer that spread up her spine to her brain.
My grandmother has skin cancers that she has to get removed about once a year.
My mother had skin cancer when I was little.
I have to go to the dermatologist once a year, and I'm only 21.

I also, am the palest person I've ever met. When friends say "Oh, I'm so pale" I immediately put my arm up next to theirs and say "No you're not!" It doesn't bother me-- I can help them feel better about it so they don't damage their skin more. People have called me "the color of paper" and if I wear a white t-shirt or something people have said "You're all one color!". I just laugh and say, "Ya, I know!"
There's nothing inherently beautiful about any color of skin, just as there's nothing to be embarrased about because of how light (or how dark) your skin is.

How about all the famous pale people? Christina Ricci, Nicole Kidman, Claire Danes, Renee Zellweger, Winona Ryder, Gwyneth Paltrow, etc. I'm sure there's men too, I just can't think of any...

People are starting to realize what happens when you purposefully keep tan all the time, and it's not pretty. Tanning beds are about as good for you as drinking a bottle of Stoli and smoking a pack of Lucky Strikes. Tanning that much in the sun is even worse.

I know logically that tanning is not good for me...I just hate it when people say to me..."wow your legs are really pale eh?"

I feel embarrassed about it..My grandma died of Skin Cancer too!!

I guess I haven't gotten to the point in my life where I am completely accepting of myself..I still have some work to do in that department.

I'm pale as well & pretty darn proud of it!

I tired the self tanners, I even own one of the Salon Bronze things(they stink). I tried the tinted lotions & they not only turn you orange, but stain any light colored clothing you wear. I went tanning before prom my senior year...maybe 3 times. I cannot sit still for that long.

My reasoning? My grandpa died of skin cancer. My dad is permanantly red...I meant that literally. Find a red T-shirt & that is the color of my dad's skin. He's worked outside his entire life & regrets not taking care of his skin before now.

I like to think of myself as one of those gorgeous porcelain dolls. I am beautiful the way I am...white as a sheet of paper.