Tanning

This is for all of you trying to get a tan to show off all that muscle you've worked so hard for.

Before I say anything else, I feel I should warn all of you that UV radiation seems to be the cause of all three common skin cancers -- basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.

Now that I feel less guilty, us midwestern girls are known more than anyone else for our use of tanning beds, and, if you're going to do it, try this.

Start light - go for no more than 10 minutes your first 2 weeks of the season and no more than 3 times a week ever.

Use browning lotions - stay away from anything that says Hot or Fire or anything else related to heat. It opens your pores and greatly increases the chance for skin damage, along with purposefully giving you a sunburn.

Moisturize - even though you'll feel all greasy from the sweat and tanning lotion, wipe yourself off and immediately apply a moisturizer with vitamin E. Coco Butter and plain old aloe vera are great.

Please please please be careful and tan as little as possible. With lotions at $10 a bottle and lasting 2 weeks or so, they are often cheaper than the beds, just make sure to moisturize knees and elbows before applying (the dryer skin will absord more pigment, making those areas darker) and wash your hands really carefully or you'll have to explain your orange hands to everyone.