I used to tan before I’d go on vacations in warm places - taking a pasty - white person and sticking them in the tropical sun is not a pretty sight - not to mention painful and a surefire way to wreck a vacation. Luckily I tan easily, but I wasn’t willing to take a chance and burn to a crisp the first day of my fun in the sun.
I look good with a tan, not at all like toast.
I have gone tanning a few times before different trips, and I have found that I like the stand-up tanning booths much better. The stand-up beds that I used had a mesh in front of the bulbs, and the woman who gave me the tour suggested to put a foot up on the mesh to get an even tan on my legs. I found this to be very helpful. On the same line, if you do use one of the lay-down beds, not only make sure to get your armpits but also the insides of your legs. I hate those lines along my legs.
Quick little side note. Make sure that you stop using lotion with SPF. I had been tanning for a while when I realized my face wasn’t getting tan. I finally remembered that my face lotion has SPF. I felt a little bit stupid.
I hope you enjoy your trip.
Using self tanner will not protect you from sun burn which is what Joyfulgirl is trying to do.
I have also hit the tanning beds before going on vacations. I don’t do it as much for the color as for the protection. I am very fair and burn easily at first. Without any sun exposure I can’t stay outside more than 15 minutes without a burn.
I wouldn’t recommend staying the entire 20 minutes at first. Get tanning lotion but don’t go for the Hard Stuff® at first, ie: any lotion with the words “fire” “heat” or “extra tingle” in the name.
I actually like tan lines on my bottom, just so you can have something to compare. I always wear the same bathing suit bottom; I pack it in my tanning bag with the lotion, water bottle and face towel.
Also my face tends to get really red when I am hot (or embarrassed or excited or drink alcohol). The first time I used a tanning bed my face was beet red for a week so now I always cover my face with a towel for all but a couple of minutes. My face gets enough sun exposure during daily activities.
Good luck and don’t burn your naughty bits.
Wow, I didn’t expect this many replies. Thanks for the great advice! Like In Conceivable and others pointed out, I’m doing this to minimize skin damage. Everytime I go to a beach location, I burn if I’m in the sun for any significant amount of time. Heck, last time, I burned on the way down there. A bad sunburn is much worse for your skin than a one-time moderate tan. Plus, I don’t want to scare any children or blind anyone 
Anyway, I’m off to try all this advice. I’ll let you know how it goes!
My sister was a dedicated tanner for years. Next Monday she starts her second round of chemo therapy treatments for melanoma. A fake and bake tan WILL NOT protect you in anyway from the sun. Don’t do it.
Since the wet blanket has already been thrown, please remember that sunscreen will also protect you from sunburn!!! Even if you do get a “pre-tan” your skin is still being damaged if you don’t use sun screen. Especially protect your face and backs of your hands.
Joyful, I use to wear bathing suits and shorts to amusement parks and use only tanning oil. I wanted to be brown and healthy and I would look any one wearing a hat, long sleeved shirt and pants on a hot day and go *what a bunch of nerds, mannn *.
I am now a proud floppy hat, long sleeves, pants wearing, SPF 9000 five or six times a day kind of person. I am actually cooler than the bikini clad gals, as my skin is protected and not subtly frying.
If you want to see something interesting, I discovered this this past summer at an amusement park. Buy a pair of sunglasses that are the ultra cool hip orangey-yellow shades, that allow a person so see the wearers eyes.
Wearing glasses like this allows you to see the sunburn on some one before it shows up. *I shit you not *. I walked around the park the entire day telling young bucks and simpering misses, that they better get out of the sun because I could see where they had missed with their lotion ( if they were wearing it at all.)
Those glasses were the best $10 anti-sun tan argument I’ve ever spent.