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I am not an expert, but I do know tanning beds and lotions are bad for the skin and can cause serious injuries. I would not recommend it. You may not see the consequences now, but maybe you may see it in the future. It's not worth it to have a nice tan instead of good health.
Everything I have seen and read indicate that tanning products of any kind can lead to long term problems with one's skin. I honestly do not know what the fascination is with dark tanned skin. I can understand a little browning for color, but the people who are fanatical about tanning end up very discolored and unnatural looking. It just isn't that attractive when it gets to that stage.
I think that tanning lotions are okay. There are many people who use these safely as an alternative to UV rays. They are sometimes inconvenient in that the tan fades quickly, and it's not always easy to make a tan look natural with a tanning lotion. However, I feel they are perfectly safe for the skin. I agree that many people over due it and look ridiculous with too dark a tan for their skin type. However, I've found a little color on my legs help to cover certain imperfections that come with getting older. Not that I show a lot of leg but I do play a sport and don't want to blind anyone with my too white legs!