Skin lightening or Tan?

So I have been reading things about this, that lightening can damage your skin, as well as tanning. I want to lighten my arms so that they seem to be the same color as my face. I plan on being a model, and I was told that you need to have great skin. I don't want a tan, or at least too much of one, because then I would look like everyone else. I need your peoples opinion, and I dont want crap about "trying to be michael jackson". I AM white skined, and dont take that as a racist comment. What would you pick and why?

Skin lightening or Tan?
Tanning (yes, regular exposure to the sun with sunscreen for protection) is the most effective to even your skin tone. It's better to tan than to lighten your skin. There are no products out there on the market to conterract cancer from using skin lighteners. And sweetie, to say that you are "white" skinned is an ignorant statement. It doesn't have anything to do with race. It's "light" skinned.
Reply:i would choose a tan because you can just put on sunscreen and sit in the sun, relaxing and easy.
Reply:just leave them alone and see what happens if they bother u more just wear long sleeved shirts you will see how fast they lighten up winter is coming anyway don't waste money on what can be done naturally
Reply:You don't want skin damage? THEN THERE'S ONLY ONE ANSWER. Cover yourself or wear skin blocking. I was tan constantly when I was a teenage (I made it a point, I was even mistaken for another race once, and was proud of it - hey, it was a great tan!). Now, the check's come in, lol. Don't "scratch" the bumps on your skin, it causes "white" spots in your late 30's and 40's, just let them be. Stay away from tanning beds and the sun, they are NOT good for your skin, just get enough sunlight for your health (vitamin d), and you'll never regret it as you get older or even now. The "Wan" look is always in!
Reply:do not do anything ! get a tan via spray tan since it is not as damaging as either as tanning in a tanning booth or lightening which also damages your skin! spray tan is your best bet when it comes to damaging your skin!
Reply:During cold months, your skin will naturally get lighter in color because you will be wearing long sleeve clothes all day. Skin lightening does not necessarily damage your skin, but you must be careful when choosing skin lightening products, as some ingredients may be harmful. Because you're white skinned, I don't see any point lightening your skin chemically. Why not try exfoliating your arms regularly. Exfoliation will help remove dead skin cells on your skin surface, and therefore stimulate new skin cells. Your skin will get lighter after a while.
Reply:just do a Mystic Tan...its safe and no damage of any sort
Reply:I take that your arms are darker than your face? I'm assuming your arms are just tan...


If so, to save you skin troubles in the future, just cover up your arms with sleeves. Wear dark-colored or tightly woven jackets or sweaters. Winter is coming up too (...depending where you are) so at least that could be a reason to cover up.





I know agencies usually want their models to have nice, smooth skin, without too many blemishes and stuff like that so definitely don't do the lightening nor the tanning. As you said, these ARE damaging to the skin. One reason agencies want models with 'great' skin is because make-up is easier to apply and goes on smoothly and of course, looks better. Damaged skin doesn't look too good...





Also, getting a tan with sunscreen on, for the intention of "protection", still equals damage. A TAN itself is damage. Reason is A LOT of sunscreens only protect against UVB rays (burning) and not UVA (tanning).





So again, I'd say just wear sleeves. Dark-colored and tightly woven ones will protect the skin more from the sun, and thus, tanning and damage, than loosely-woven or light-colored sleeves.





I'd also recommend using an Alpha Hydroxy Acid product (AHA) like Glycolic Acid or Lactic Acid. These are chemical exfoliants and help speed up dead skin cell turnover. If you do indeed have 'tan' arms, just apply a daily AHA product to your arms, cover up with sleeves and your arms will lighten to its natural color much faster. * AHAs are known to cause sun sensitivity and could therefore allow for more sun damage BUT, that's if you're using a very high percentage of Acid (anything beyond 20%) and at a very low pH level (lower than 3). Daily AHA products found over-the-counter at department or drugstores are generally safe and do not sensitize the skin.





So ... please don't do the lightening or getting a tan. And as for spray-ons... I do believe when being a model, agencies want you as natural as it can get and only they'll put the fake stuff on you ...
Reply:Hi,


The thing is if u want to be a model, they usually do everything on set for you, depending on the look they want to go for.


they will either spray tan you (if they want a broz=nzed look for example), or put white make up on u (if they want a giesha look for example), make-up is soooo advanced it can do anything,and also there is always airbrushing!!


Whilst doing runwalk shows they usually use bronzer if they want to tan you up.


I wouldnt pick anyhtuing as all things contain chemicals and will ruin ur skin in the future. Modeling agengcies will see your potential from other things i.e hieght, features etc, tanning and lightening i would leave to the experts.
Reply:I would suggest leaving your skin alone. I have worked in fashion and entertainment for over ten years. If you have what it takes to be a model (height, bone structure, the right look, etc) it will not matter if your skin color is perfect. So much makeup and airbrushing goes into each photo shoot. Trust me.

oleander