So, here's the dealio:

I have extremely fair skin, I'm one level above being considered an albino - one of those people who only freckles and burns when in the sun for more than twenty minutes w/o sunscreen. I'm the guy at the beach rockin' spf 3000 and a speedo. J/k about the speedo. But really, I am pale and find it very hard to develop/maintain any sort of tan.

So, does anyone have any tips on how to get a tan?
-Summer is upon us and I teach swim lessons at a pool, a tan would just be dandy

I have been using the self-tanning lotions and all that jazz, but it's very annoying to keep up and you have to be very careful when applying so it doesn't look uneven, smudged, or fake/orange. In short, its a hassle.

I'm considering going to a tanning salon, but I don't know anything about them and if they will even be able to get me a tan. I've talked to my friends and people I work with, and they said that first you need to get a base tan, and I was wondering if that's even possible for someone as fair skinned as I.

I guess I just don't know the process and everything, I've heard so many different things I don't know what to expect.

Have you guys had similar problems (pale skin) and what did you do to improve it/get a tan? Does anyone have any helpful info about tanning salons and the whole experience/what to expect for someone with fair skin?

Go to a tanning salon and ask them their opinion. Make sure it's a decent chain and not just a private one, because chains tend to have more of an obligation to customer satisfaction; if you get burned to shit because of their advice, then they're in lots of trouble. Don't be afraid to ask them lots of questions, be friendly and they'll do their best to help you out.

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"The 'Brick Walls' are there to allow you to prove how badly you want something!" ~ Randy Pausch

~ Rye

Go to a tanning place. I'm ginger, so I was blessed with the fair skin/freckles look. However, I go tanning about once a week just to keep my darker look going. When I started out, I think I started out on 7 minutes level 1 (could be different where you go), and then worked my way up to 17. I stick to level one, since its cheaper and gives me the look I want. But yeah, ask them for their advice. I think I went (twice a week) 3 times @ 7 minutes, 3 times @ 10 minutes, 3 times @ 14 minutes, and then stuck to 17 minutes after that. But since you are going to be outside in the sun a lot, you could probably go twice at each level and soon level out at what you want.

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The hottest ginger you'll ever meet.

I don't have an ego, I just love how awesome I am.

Awesome, thanks for the advice.

Do you guys know any good chains that you would recommend?

If you cant tan in the sun then you aren't gonna be able to tan in a tanning bed either.

I have a friend that uses the tan in a bottle stuff. Just be real careful what brand you use if you decide to do that. Otherwise you are just gonna look like an oompa loompa

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"To Give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift" -Prefontaine

Not a PUA just a girl offering my opinions/advice

Fabutan is all across North America.

Killians may be right and you may have to use the tan in a bottle stuff, but I'd definitely try the tanning salon first and just take it slow and easy.

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"The 'Brick Walls' are there to allow you to prove how badly you want something!" ~ Randy Pausch

~ Rye

To add to the ideas above, instead of tanning, spend the time you would be laying around under the sun lifting weights. You're probably already in good shape if you teach swimming, but if you had a really well defined, well-groomed body, then you could probably just use your pale skin as a comedy routine which would give girls an excuse to talk about you and check you out.

man thats tough especially since you teach swimming you must get burned alot.
I think this is one of those things that doesn't change. Don't go for the bottle, because if girls find out it is a bottle you will seem insecure about this.