Spray tans and tanning beds are offered by many beauty salons and are shown as an effortless way to achieve a golden bronzed look, but hold many underlying severe health risks. Sunless tanning alternatives that are projected as a safe way to tan contain toxic chemicals such as dihydroxyacetone, which is an active color additive ingredient. 

Spray tans/Tanning beds

Tanning beds emit mainly Ultraviolet rays (UV) that contain UVA rays. These rays have a longer wavelength of 320 Nautical Miles (nm) to 400nm,  impacting skin aging. These beds include UVB (in a smaller dosage) that is associated with skin burning that has shorter nm unit measures. Tanning beds are not any safer than the sun. 

“UVA-UVB rays can affect the skin by causing damage to the DNA,” science teacher Daniel Mortensen said. “When the DNA is damaged, the skin cells’ natural cell cycle pattern can be disrupted and that can lead to the skin cell becoming cancerous.”

Although extreme high exposure to UVA-UVB rays may not seem as life-threatening earlier in life, skin cancer takes time to come into full effect. According to Skincancer.org, Melanoma cancer penetrates the melanocytes which causes over-production of melanin. UV exposure leading to sunburn has a higher risk of developing into types of skin cancer such as Melanoma, Basal Cell Carcinoma (the most common), and Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

“Tanning salons most certainly need to promote the health risks associated with tanning bed use, especially the ones that boast UVA free,” Mortensen said. “When you are exposed to UVA and UVB on a consistent basis as you would be in a tanning bed, you greatly increase your risk for skin cancer.”

 Some tanning salons may promote UVA free treatments, but it will still contain UVB; there is no such thing as a “safe UV tan.” 

Another tanning alternative, spray tans, contain a very severe chemical DHA (dihydroxyacetone) that is used as an active color additive ingredient. DHA should not be inhaled; according to Skincancer.org, protection of nose, eyes and mouth is highly suggested. Although both tanning beds and spray tans cause major risks to one’s skin, spray tans are less invasive as it only penetrates the outer layer of the skin, instead of deeper into the layers like tanning beds do. 

Recommendations

Understanding the basics of protecting the outer layers of the body’s skin is ideal for prevention of skin cancer in the future. Some tanning beauty salons simply do not advertise the risks of tanning for customer and company satisfaction, so it is important to understand the risks beforehand. 

“Salons tell you to do a UVB for a base tan then a UVA for a bronzing look on your base tan,” Mortensen said. “Bottom line, that is dangerous. Just make sure to wear an appropriate SPF sunblock.”

Despite the risk factors of UVA and UVB rays, taking smart and protective measures such as using sunscreen everyday can be ideal. 

“I use this sunscreen in my face lotion and I also put on chapstick containing sunscreen,” sophomore Haleigh Zenoni said. 

Many facial and body products also contain UV SPF sun protection; sun protection is not limited to sunscreen. Simply, one bad sunburn or tanning session can increase one’s risk of developing skin cancer.