Overview
Many people want their skin to have a golden glow but aren’t willing to sacrifice their health to achieve that. While spray tanning booths offer an alternative to the ultraviolet radiation exposure of sunbathing and using tanning beds, users should learn about the potential risks.
Function
Spray tanning booths create a tanned appearance by misting the body with a sunless tanning product containing dihydroxyacetone, or DHA. DHA is a color additive that reacts with amino acids in the skin’s surface to darken the skin.
How to Use
The process of using a spray tanning booth is straightforward. After walking into the tanning room and removing clothing and accessories, place a shower cap over the hair and apply neutralizing lotion to the hands and toes to prevent the mist from undesirably coloring these areas. Put on protective eyewear and a nose clip, then activate the machine and follow the instructions of the tanning salon employee. When the session is over, exit the booth and allow the mist to air-dry on the skin before getting dressed.
Adverse Reactions
Some people have reported adverse reactions to spray tanning booths to the Food and Drug Administration. These reactions include rashes, coughing, dizziness and fainting. It is not clear, however, whether these reactions were caused by ingredients in the mist, allergic reactions, pre-existing medical conditions or other factors unrelated to the sunless tanning.
Warning
While the FDA has approved the use of DHA for cream or lotion sunless tanning products, it has not approved its use for spray mist tanning booths. Spray tanning booths may expose the eyes, lips and mucus membranes to the DHA mist, which may be unsafe. The tanning industry has failed to provide the FDA with safety data regarding spray tanning booths, so the specific safety risk of using these booths is unknown.
Considerations
Consumers should always ask the tanning salon for help in minimizing the risk of DHA getting into the eyes, nose and mouth. The tanning salon should provide protective eyewear and nose plugs. Those who use spray tanning booths should also close their eyes and hold their breath while the machine is spraying the mist.
Alternatives
Sunless tanning alternatives are available for people uncomfortable with using a spray tanning booth. Many sunless tanning creams, sprays, foams and lotions are available at drugstores, discount stores and supermarkets. These products are inexpensive, easy to use and FDA-approved.
