It's that time of year again… most people tan in the sun, but for those who don't are reminded almost every day about their lack of tan. Ah yes, summer, good thing this season is back in case I didn't know I was pale, I have everyone to remind me almost every day! The worst is hearing how "disgusting and sick" pale people look, I mean really people? Quite tacky. But really, and I mean really, I am okay being paler than you, I really don't mind.
No, I am not bitter about not getting super tan, I can still lay out in the sun (with SPF of 110 of course) and enjoy my summer just like everyone else. I love summer just as much as anyone else, I just have to take extra precautions in the sun. I view my burn as a rite of passage into summer, just like your tan.
In fact, I am so okay with being paler because pretty much the only alternative is either sunburn or sun poisoning. All I can say about sun poisoning is ouch and never again. But fear not, I can wear brighter colors and bam I can fake till I make it. Also, my best friend, Jergens, helps me out every day without fail.
Contrary to popular belief, there can be advantages to being pale, aka freckles. I absolutely love when my freckles pop out, a true sign of summer approaching. Some people get tanner, some people get freckles, all from the same source, thank you sun.
If you grew up with pale skin, chances are you have lived through sunburn, and you know how to keep your aloe just right to soothe the burn after a long day at the beach. For my not so pale friends, I will let you in on a secret, refrigerate the aloe before applying it to your skin for added relief. Without having sunburn numerous times, we wouldn't know the pain and would not have experience soothing our pain.
For those who have never had sunburn, that first experience will be a shock and probably take them longer to bounce back than a pale person. A bad burn on the first day of vacation could ruin someone's trip, but for the few that are experienced this will be a mere hiccup.
Sunscreen, the saving grace, the only issue is how expensive it can be just to save my skin. With having to buy ample amounts during summer, this really adds up in my expenses. I vote we start giving pale people some sort of discount for our dedication to purchasing crazy amounts of sunscreen. We pretty much keep the companies in business, you are all quite welcome.
Everyone's skin is beautiful, doesn't matter the color, the shade, the number of wrinkles, or whatever, who freaking cares. I used to be so insecure about my skin because it was always a topic of conversation, yeah no one meant to be hurtful, but it still drew attention to an insecurity I held. But now, I love myself and I love my skin and I think everyone looks their best in their natural state. I am happy I was able to experience this insecurity, it truly taught me how to treat others. Now, I live by the rule of "if they can't change it in ten minutes, keep it to yourself," don't get me wrong, if I have something in my teeth please help me out, but if you want me to magically change the shade of my skin, keep that silliness to yourself. Let us all work together to make other people feel happy and loved in their own skin!