Skin care

Spray Tanning News: Is it Really Dangerous?

Not convinced that spray tanning really causes cancer? Here's the info you need before you decide to get a faux glow this summer

by Sarah Carrillo

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Bad news for all of us pale folks: There really is no such thing as a "safe" tan. We already knew that tanning beds and laying out in the sun were killing us slowly, but now it seems we need to add spray tans and self-tanners to the list.

"I used to recommend spray tans and tell my patients there's no risk, but now I have some reservations," says Darrell Rigel, MD, a professor of dermatology at New York University. The reason he's concerned: the release of several studies showing that the active ingredient in spray tans, DHA, may damage DNA and cause cancer.

Naturally, as fellow advocates of spray tans (and as beauty editors who have spent our fair share of time in a spray tan booth), we were also worried. But since we live in a world where a trip through airport security or a call on our cell phones can also be considered risky, we weren't quite ready to pull the plug on our Mystic Tan sessions. We wanted to do some digging first and find out just how bad spray tans are for you, and if you really do need to give them up for good.

Click here for the full story on spray tan dangers.

What we found was pretty shocking (and yes, a little scary). Keep reading to see the latest research and what the skin care experts have to say about spray tans, and decide for yourself if it's worth the risk to get a glow.

SEE NEXT PAGE: What we know about spray tans for sure

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Older comments

Thank you for this fascinating piece! I always feared that there had to be harmful chemicals to change the color of skin, especially detrimental when inhaled as a spray. I'll stick to my "whiter shade of pale."

by GigiSD Monday, April 29, 2013 at 08:33PM Report as inappropriate

I think tanning in general is just dangerous!

by Misselizabeth Sunday, January 20, 2013 at 01:59AM Report as inappropriate

Nice to know

by EricaC123 Friday, December 28, 2012 at 04:46PM Report as inappropriate

I guess bronzing make-up is here to stay.

by skinpro Friday, August 17, 2012 at 07:07PM Report as inappropriate

When I see articles about xyz causes cancer, my first reaction is, "what doesn't these days?" However, im confused by this article because it kept going back and forth between spray tan in a bottle and spray tan from the store. I use spray tan in a bottle. I can't live without it. I am getting older and my legs need as much color as I can give them to coverup problems. I think I will keep using the product (Lancôme, love it!) until more research is done. Seriously, is there anything that doesn't cause cancer? If the spray tan doesn't contain DHA is it okay? I need more info!

by Cheryl5752 Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at 02:06AM Report as inappropriate

very interesting

by LittleBunny Sunday, August 5, 2012 at 01:08PM Report as inappropriate

hm interesting

by Nicole2814 Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at 05:04PM Report as inappropriate

I am comfortable with the color of my skin. :)

by yestfl Monday, July 23, 2012 at 09:54AM Report as inappropriate

I agree with Crystal0107. We need to do our own research, read labels, and become very knowledgeable about how to proceed.

by CaroleVonAllten Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at 05:15PM Report as inappropriate

I think the best thing to do is be smart. Do your own research, read labels and do what is best for you.

by Crystal0107 Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 07:22PM Report as inappropriate