Spray Tanning Booths

The sunless tanning service most commonly offered in tanning salons is spray tanning in booths. Spray tanning booths work by delivering an even coating of the chemical dihydroxyacetone (DHA) to your skin using spraying machines located inside enclosed booths. DHA works by interacting with dead cells on the surface of your skin to darken skin color, simulating a tan. The results usually last for several days.

DHA is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for cosmetic application, but it is approved only for external use. DHA is not approved for the areas of the eyes or lips, and should not be inhaled or ingested. This type of exposure is difficult to avoid in spray tanning booths.

Before using a spray tanning booth, the FDA advises asking if your eyes and lips will be protected, and whether you will be protected from inhaling or ingesting the spray. If the answer is no, you should look for another salon.

Airbrush Tan

A potentially safer—but more expensive—method of receiving an even coating of DHA is to have an airbrush tan. During an airbrush tan, a salon technician covers your eyes, lips, and other mucous membranes, and sprays a coat of DHA onto your skin using a spray compressor. A natural-looking tan will appear within a few hours and usually last for a few days.

The benefit of airbrushing is that it results in an even tan, while reducing the risk of inhalation and eye and lip exposure.

Self-Tanning Lotions

Self-tanning lotions can be purchased over the counter at drugstores and cosmetic counters. These self-tanners contain DHA. To achieve a natural-looking tan, apply the lotion evenly over your skin. The results will appear within a few hours, and will last several days. With spray booth tanning, airbrush tanning, and self-tanning lotions, you will get more even results if you exfoliate your skin with a scrub brush or loofah before the tanner is applied.

While self-tanners are theoretically safer than spray tans (since the risks of inhalation are dramatically reduced), one study in the June 13, 2004 issue of Mutation Research questions the safety of DHA. In the laboratory environment, researchers found that treatment with DHA caused DNA damage in dead skin cells. While it appears that DHA is safe for external use, it is possible that future studies will reveal long-term health consequences associated with the use of DHA.

In addition DHA has been reported to cause contact dermatitis, however, it is a very rare occurrence.

Bronzers

Bronzers include tinted moisturizers and brush-on powders. Bronzers can be used to temporarily stain the skin, achieving a tanned appearance. It is difficult to achieve an even, all-over tan with bronzers, but they can add some color to pale skin. Bronzers, like makeup, wash off with soap and water.

Tanning Pills

Tanning pills are unsafe and are not approved by the FDA. They contain the color additive, canthaxanthin. When ingested, canthaxanthin can cause the skin to turn orange or brown. Its use has been linked to a number of serious health problems, including liver damage, severe itching, and eye disorders.

On the Flipside, Don’t Shun the Sun Entirely…

It is important also to remember that Vitamin D deficiency can occur in people who live without sun exposure because Vitamin D is synthesized under the influence of ultraviolet light. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient necessary to form and maintain strong bones; it also may help maintain a healthy immune system and help regulate cell growth. Ten to fifteen minutes of sun exposure at least two times per week to the face, arms, hands, or back without sunscreen is usually sufficient to provide adequate vitamin D.