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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The real deal with DHA Many spray tanning salons reassure customers by telling them that DHA is a food grade ingredient and safe to eat. And that's technically true -- but not when it comes to the DHA in spray tans.

There are actually two chemicals that are abbreviated DHA: One is Docosahexaenoic acid, an essential fatty acid that's often added to infant formula, but never to self-tanner. The other is Dihydroxyacetone, the active ingredient in spray tans, which is a colorless sugar that literally stains your dead skin cells brown, giving you your tan. "These two DHAs are not the same thing," says Rigel. "When someone says you can eat the DHA solution, they're talking about the food-grade DHA."

When ABC news did their initial report, they found Norvell Skin Solutions, one of the largest manufacturers of spray tan products, was telling its customers that they used food-grade DHA in their products. Norvell has since promised to correct its product descriptions.

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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