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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Are lotions safer than sprays? The biggest concern with spray tans is that you could easily inhale the solution, which means DHA is getting into your lungs and then into your bloodstream. Rey Panettieri, MD, a toxicologist and lung specialist at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine, says if DHA gets into your bloodstream there is a chance "these compounds in some cells could actually promote the development of cancers or malignancies, and if that's the case then we need to be wary of them."

Obviously, it's hard to inhale a lotion, so Rigel says this form of self-tanner is a somewhat safer bet. "I would say lotions are safer than spray tanning guns because you're not going to breathe in the lotion," he says. "But there's still some risk since your skin can absorb the DHA in lotions," he says.

Rigel and other dermatologists familiar with spray tanning studies are still hesitant to recommend self-tanner lotions. That's because a 1999 study by the FDA found that 11 percent of DHA applied to the skin is going beyond the dead skin cells sitting on top of your skin and getting absorbed into living skin cells in the epidermis and dermis. Further studies are necessary to see if the DHA is actually harming these skin cells, but the fact that it's there at all worries many experts.

"The concern here is we never thought DHA was getting absorbed," Rigel said in his ABC interview. "We thought it's binding to the surface of the skin and that's where the stain is." But this study changes that belief, he says.

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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