Spray Tans

Don't want to expose your skin to the sun's damaging rays, but don't want to miss out on that sun-kissed glow? Consider striking a compromise with sunless tanning products. Start by understanding how sunless tanning products work - and the importance of applying them correctly and carefully.

How do sunless tanning products work?

Sunless tanning products, also called self-tanners, can give your skin a tanned look without exposing it to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Sunless tanning products are commonly sold as creams, gels, lotions and sprays you apply to your skin. Professional spray-on tanning also is available at many salons, spas and tanning businesses.

The active ingredient in most sunless tanning products is dihydroxyacetone (DHA). When applied to the skin, DHA reacts with dead cells in the outermost layer of skin to temporarily darken the skin's appearance. The coloring doesn't wash off, but it gradually fades as the dead skin cells slough off - typically within a few days.

Most sunless tanning products don't contain sunscreen. If you spend time outdoors, sunscreen remains essential.

What about sunless tanning pills?

Sunless tanning pills, which typically contain the color additive canthaxanthin, are unsafe. When taken in large amounts, canthaxanthin can turn your skin orange and cause hives. Sunless tanning pills can also cause liver damage and lead to the formation of crystals in the retina of the eye (canthaxanthin retinopathy).

• See Also

  Hand Scheduled
  Section Focus
• Foods for healthy skin: Top picks
• Tattoos: Understand risks and precautions
• Piercings: How to prevent complications
• Skin care: 5 tips for healthy skin
• Best sunscreen: Understand sunscreen options
• Latisse: The answer for longer, thicker eyelashes?
• Tattoo removal cream: Does it work?
• Slide show: Poison ivy and other summer skin irritants
• Shaving hair: Does shaved hair grow back thicker?
• Tanning beds: Safer than the sun?
• Does sunscreen expire?
• Laser hair removal
• Laser resurfacing
• Birth control pills for acne?
• Ingrown hair
• Dry skin
• Sun allergy
• Wrinkles
• Sunburn
• Plantar warts
• Acne
• Wrinkle creams: Your guide to younger looking skin
  Related Links

1. What about tanning pills and other tanning products? American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/ped_7_1x_Dangers_of_Artificial_Tanning.asp?sitearea=&level=. Accessed Oct. 20, 2009.
2. The sun and your skin. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/public/publications/pamphlets/sun_sun.html. Accessed Oct. 20, 2009.
3. Sivamani RK, et al. The benefits and risks of ultraviolet tanning and its alternatives: The role of prudent sun exposure. Dermatologic Clinics. 2009;27:149.
4. Pagoto SL, et al. Design and methods for a cluster randomized trial of the Sunless Study: A skin cancer prevention intervention promoting sunless tanning among beach visitors. BMC Public Health. 2009;9:50.
5. Tanning products. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/RadiationEmittingProductsandProcedures/Tanning/ucm116434.htm. Accessed Oct. 20, 2009.
6. Sunless tanners and bronzers. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ProductandIngredientSafety/ProductInformation/ucm134064.htm. Accessed Oct. 20, 2009.
7. Light-related diseases and disorders of pigmentation. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 4th ed. New York, N.Y.: Mosby; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/166102149-3/905511598/1195/132.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-01319-8..50021-2--cesec51_2399. Accessed Oct. 21, 2009.

© 1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

E-mail this page

Clicking "send" signifies that you have read and agree to our privacy policy.

Share this on ...

• StumbleUpon
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Facebook
• MySpace

Link to this page

<a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sunless-tanning/SN00037">Sunless tanning: A safe alternative to sunbathing</a>

Guidelines for sites linking to MayoClinic.com

Hope this helps,

Edie

After a skin cancer scare, I stopped tanning. I now use Neutrogena MicroMist Tanning Sunless Spray from the drug store, about $9 a can.. It looks totally natural and you can easily hit every angle, it sprays flawlessly and dries almost instantly. The only downside is that I noticed it can dry out my skin a little. I like it because I can control the color, so start with medium, let it dry for a few hours and see if you want to go darker, etc.  Have fun on your vacation!  :-)  :-)

oo fitz youll look good

I haven't tanned in two years but still have one tan left on my account and was thinking of giving myself a bit of color today! I start back to work part-time Friday and am a bit sallow.  

I stopped, not for safety reasons - I'm dark and didn't get skin cancer -  but because hot flashes made being in the booth miserable. I also wanted scars to heal and tanning makes them look odd.  

I've never spray tanned but I did buy the home stuff.  It smells so bad I can't use it.  I don't know if the spray stuff has that smell on it but you might check first and see if you are sensitive.

Now, should I go tan?  Hmmm..... 

Fitz, I use spray tanners all the time during the summer. You have to exfoliate, make sure your really dry(not wet) I use either Loreal sublime airmist tanner in light and use a cotton ball for my face. or Clarins which is really great but expensive. Use a soap on your body and face that has a natural PH such as purpose or basis. It will not change the color like some body soaps can(turns you orangish if to acidic) You can also get the towelettes too. Wash your hands really good afterwards to prevent tanning. Have fun on your trip! Dawn

Go for it! Have a great vacation!



Chainsawz, I had the immediate response you did. How bad can it be considering all the other BS we've been through?

Not sure about precisely what you are seeking, before getting any medication or herbs you need to consult with a doctor. For more information or to become knowledgeable you can go through some very nice websites like EverydayHealth etc ... also you can get a totally free ebook on sunless tanning here http://www.sunlesstanningtruth.com/