What a Dermatologist Wants You to Know About Spray Tan

So. you've finally decided to give spray tanning a try. You've been eyeing the ads, googling it every now and then, you've even researched the topic a couple of times, to gather information so you can make an educated decision. You are familiar with spray tan equipment and know about spray tanning solutions, tanning machines… But, you're concerned about your health and had a hard time finding information about what to take into account when it comes to skincare.

We are going to bust a few tanning myths circling out there, so you can enjoy your first experience with spray tanning!

1. Is DHA Safe?

There has been a lot of discussion about the safety dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which is the substance responsible for darkening the skin by reacting with amino acids in dead skin cells. However, according to dermatologists, spray tanning is considerably safer than using tanning booths. Real tanning works by exposing the skin to UV radiation which damages the skin and increases the risks of skin cancer development. There's no direct evidence that DHA increases the risk of malignancies. Nevertheless, particular care should be taken to avoid inhaling, ingesting or getting DHA in your eyes.

2. Organic or Regular?

Some debate that the regular solutions might contain chemicals which might weaken the skin’s surface. However, dermatologists say that there is no conclusive evidence that suggests that using naturally derived DHA is better than man-made synthetic options.

3. Sunburns are Still an Option

Getting your tan from a bottle does not mean that your skin is protected from UV rays. This means, that a 30+ sunscreen should still be regularly applied. Even if the product has SPF claims, you should be mindful, since in most cases any SPF will wear off a couple of hours after application.

4.Test First

Skin types and allergies vary from person to person. This means that it's always best to conduct a patch test before your spray tan appointment. While most people don't react to spray tanning products, sensitive skin could flare up due to alcohol or perfume in the product, or, in some cases, their skin is exposed to DHA for the first time.

5. Tanning while pregnant

Because of the speculation around the effects of inhaling the spray, use self-application products and avoid spray tans. Still, women should bear in mind, that pregnancy can heighten the risk of having an allergic reaction, due to hormone level changes in the body.

6. Hydration is The Key

Oil is a no-go when using sunless tanning solutions since hydrating your skin is essential to maintain the longevity of your tan. It's crucial to make sure the lotion you are using is oil free because oils break down DHA and cause the tan to fade at a faster pace.

7. No Hair Removal

Sunless tanning and laser hair removal don't mix. Applying solutions before a laser hair removal increases the risk of burns and blisters because by darkening the skin, they create a competing target for the laser. This means, that the skin’s surface will absorb more laser energy than the bulb of the hair follicle which should be the target area.

8. A Great Opportunity to Check for Moles

Let’s face it, the majority of us neglect our monthly skin-checks to catch any harmful or harmless changes early on. Taking your time to check your body for anything unusual before applying your tan might help you with keeping up-to-date with your skin.

So, hopefully, we've busted a few of those pesky myths that you heard. However, if you still happen to have any questions, contact us here at Artesian Tan!