Bill and Karen are both right. Many antibiotics are known to cause photosensitivity where UV exposure may trigger skin irritation and/or worsen sunburn. Sunscreen will help reduce the incidence of this ... but covering up or avoiding the sun will be better. Some antibiotics can last an unexpected length of time in your body - just be careful if you've been taking antibiotics recently.

Bill - you sure about that half life though? I'm checking my drug database and amoxicillin (another penicillin derivative and commonly used for many upper respiratory infections) is listed as having a half life of 0.7 to 1.4 hours. Ampicillin is listed as having a half life of 1 to 1.8 hours.

Masaki

BETTE I am with you all the way.

I think there are some Diuretics and/Blood Pressure meds with Sun sensitivity warnings too.

Kathy - good point ... it's not just limited to antibiotics that have problems. Hydrochlorothiazide is a common ingredient in many blood pressure medications that is also listed as causing photosensitivity.

Masaki

I'm following this thread b/c I do use a tanning bed. Actually, I bought one for my home. I tan in moderation and don't over-use it. However, I suppose that any use is bad for you. I've had so many years of laying out in the sun.... For those of you who do this and were asking about lotion, I recommend Ambrosia Maximizer (w/bronzer). But I'd have to join the wiser voices and say that it really isn't good for you. Another tip--when you tan in a salon, ask how new the bulbs are, b/c you can get burned easily with new/hot bulbs. Liz :rolleyes:

Has anyone used the new "Natural Glow" daily moisterizer by Jergens? It says it creates a healthy summer glow all year long. It doesn't smell bad at all and is on sale at Wal Mart for $4.44. I am giving it a try, just wondered if anyone else has used it. Thanks, Mounds

Yes I have, although mine is called "Soft Shimmer". In fact, I was looking at it today, wondering if it would do the trick, and if so, could I get a small travel size.

It's nice, it's fine. It really just makes you shimmer a bit, and look slightly tawny. Don't know if it's identical to the one you saw, I'm in Canada, so the marketing might be a bit different.

Hi Wendy, Sorry to leave you hangin. I have been under the weather for some time now. Natural Glow is a little different from Soft Shimmer. It has a slight sparkle too, though. I like it because it doesn't smell too bad & adds a slight color to you. I have yet another skin cancer to be taken off next Wednesday & I can't say it enough, Protect your skin everybody. Mounds

A friend of mine just showed up with her tan for spring. She got the Mystic Tan where you go into a spray booth (naked) and get a paint job. they give you something to coverup where you don't want to be sprayed. She says it lasts two weeks and it looks wonderful. I might try it before we go on PIP so I don't blind everyone with my paste colored skin.

Kathy - Boy does that sound easy!!! And if it lasts two weeks that would be perfect. If they don't have a Mystic Tan down here, I'll have to make a tan stop up you way after our brunch :D I'll check it out. Thanks for the tip. (Is that the same type that Ross used on "Friends"?)

Cyndi,

I am SURE they will have a Mystic Tanning place near you. Look at the coupons you get in the mail from the local merchants.

We have places like that here. I have heard it's a pretty strange experience. I don't think I'd risk it just before a big holiday like this--apparently you can get some strange results.

I'm going white, I've decided. Although I am getting lots of sunshine now on weekends, at least on my arms and face, and a little on my legs.

The Mystic Tan takes to some people very nicely, and others just slight. My daughter had it done before she got married. She had a little color to her, but not much. It faded in less than a week. Maybe you could try it out now & see how it looks and how long it lasts. The price has really gone down from a few years ago.

I just got a coupon from the mailers we get at home. Regular price is $35 to $50 but only $20.00 with the coupon.

My friend does this a few times in summer but supplements her tan with self tanner on her arms and legs.