Well, I recently started working out with a personal trainer, and am loving the results.
Back in my early 20's (about 20 years ago), I used to go tanning after my workouts. At 30, I stopped tanning altogether and became sun smart, using high SPF sunscreens and practicing sun avoidance when possible.
Unfortunately that urge to tan has never left me, and I've found myself wistfully looking into the window of the salon conveniently located next door to my gym. (I have to walk past it to get to the front door.) I remember how good it felt, how brown I got, and how much better everything looked! *LOL* Now that I'm at the gym regularly, the temptation to tan has been SO strong. So a few weeks back, I went for a 5 minute session in a regular bed. Then I felt guilty and stopped. Two weeks later, the urge returned and I again went for a 5 minute session. More guilt ensued! I used the strongest AHAs and peptide solutions I could find to salvage my damaged dermis and vowed to stop, that I'd saved myself in time. Well, today I had another slip and got lured in there again. I am SO mad at myself ... I know better (I have at least 20 dermatology books in my closet to remind me daily! *LOL*) and yet ... it's SO addictive!
I am not going to return, but just need some reassurance that these moments of carelessness haven't undone a decade's worth of care? I DID take Heliocare (crazy aren't I?) so feel like I at least minimized the damage, plus only went 5 minutes each time (for a total of 15 mins. over the past month). Hopefully I'll be okay?
(I did the same thing 2 years ago, and stopped due to guilt. It's so ridiculous really ... I need to view the salon as a horrible place I should never want to set foot in again, and just keep walking. Maybe blinders will do the trick?? *LOL*)
Seriously tho', if Dr. Baumann is reading this, HOW much exposure does it take to do permanent damage? (I'm actually worried about the skin on my body, legs in particular ... my face & neck at least had sunscreen on it! But I am worried about skin fragility and sagging, and cellulite on the thighs, which I've heard UV exposure can exacerbate.) Is it too late for me?? *sigh* :'(
