Tanning Vs. Spray Tanning

Warm weather always means more exposed skin, which in turn means decisions about whether or not to tan, which in turn means deciding whether or not to tan in the sun, use tanning beds or spray tans and creams. Unprotected sun exposure or time in a tanning bed can have deadly consequences and very little is known as yet about the potential health risks of spray tanning.

Self-tanning lotions and creams appear to have the least adverse health effects as they are basically dyes similar to those used to color food. They do not, however, provide any sun protection. However you choose to tan, know that the old saying is still true: there is no such thing as a safe tan. Any type of tanning can be harmful to the body

A tan is the skin's reaction to ultraviolet radiation, either from sun exposure or a tanning bed. Skin cells exposed to UV rays protect themselves against further radiation by producing a brown pigment called melanin, which darkens the cells of the epidermis. While skin cells can repair themselves at first, repeated tanning from a bed or sun exposure causes damage to these cells that cannot be repaired. Repeated damage over time causes skin cancer such as melanoma. Besides skin cancer, repeated damage also results in photoaging of the skin, which causes wrinkles, sagging skin, and sun spots. The idea of darker skin providing limited sun protection is only true for those with naturally darker skin, yet darker skinned people still need protection, too.

For a time tanning beds were considered the safer alternative to unprotected sun exposure due to "controlled" exposure using mainly UVA rays. While exposure to UVA rays means much less chance of sunburn than does exposure to UVB rays, evidence now suggests that UVA rays are far more carcinogenic than UVB rays. UVB rays in sunlight vary throughout the year, while UVA rays are present during daylight hours year-round. UVA rays also penetrate the skin much more deeply than UVB rays and cause more genetic damage in the skin cells, where most skin cancers occur. Therefore, tanning beds are in no way a safer tanning alternative. Tanning beds also "frequently exceed safe UV limits."

Numerous studies have shown that tanning beds increase the risk of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers due to having a higher concentration of UV rays than the sun itself! Eye damage also factors into tanning bed use, and cataracts can occur if the eye's lens is repeatedly exposed to excessive UV rays.

While photoaging, cataracts, and skin cancer do not result from spray tanning, such tanning has not been tested enough at this time and very little is actually known about the health risks of spray tanning. Spray tan formula works by chemically reacting with the top layer of dead skin, making it darker. The effect generally lasts five to seven days. Currently, the safety of the spray tan ingredient DHA (dihydroxyacetone) is under debate by health professionals. DHA is a carbohydrate sugar and most spray tans contain "levels" (1-15) of this substance, the highest levels providing the darkest color. Spray tans may also contain trace levels of arsenic, lead, and mercury, all of which are capable of causing brain damage, but whether the amount of each present in spray tans can affect the body is currently unknown.

While no serious external damage from spray tans has been reported at this time, rashes can occur. Eye irritation from spray tans can result as the DHA is atomized into tiny particles in the spray tan booth and can get in the eyes, causing itchiness, pain, and redness. Tanning googles are always recommended when getting a spray tan. Inhaling the atomized DHA can also be problematic as is exposing the ears and lips in addition to the eyes.

Consumers exposed to spray tan solution in this way have reported dizziness, fainting, and shortness of breath. Those with asthma should refrain from spray tanning as they atomized DHA can cause breathing difficulty. It can also be hard to breathe in the few seconds it takes for the booth to perform the spray tan. As with self-tanning creams and lotions, spray tans provide no sun protection, so be sure to continue applying sunblock before stepping outside.

While humans need the sun to make vitamin D in the body, only a minimal amount of sun exposure is needed to do so. The havoc sun exposure and tanning beds can wreak on the body are truly scary, while the little information known about spray tanning provides little comfort as a safe alternative. Slathering on the sunblock may not seem like the most glamorous way of spending time in the sun, but no doubt your skin will thank you.