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Sunless Tanning Options Offer A Healthy Tan Without The Risk

By Haywood Hunter


It has become common knowledge that the sun's powerful UV rays can be very harmful to the skin, causing wrinkles, brown spots, and even skin cancer. Evidence also suggests that excessive UV exposure can also damage the eyes and negatively impact the immune system. Yet, people still long to have beautifully tanned skin, so many are turning to the safer sunless tanning options which are available.

Perhaps the most common type of sun-free bronzing is the spray tan. A growing number of tanning salons are opening up which offer this form of tan which is applied in a private booth where after removing their clothes, the customer steps inside and presses a control button which activates the spray system that delivers an even application of the tan formula. This chemical is called dihydroxyacetone or DHA and when it reacts with the upper layer of skin cells it creates the look of a tan that will last for about one week.

Some people prefer an airbrush tan, which is very similar to a spray tan in that it also uses DHA and lasts for a week, but it is applied differently. The client wears a bathing suit or underwear, covers the lips and eyes, then the technician will spray on the tanning solution using a spray compressor. It may cost more, but it is typically more precise, without streaks, and is less likely to get inhaled.

A self-tanner is an affordable alternative that is sold in most pharmacies and make-up counters. These are DHA-based lotions, sprays, or gels that must be massaged into the skin like other body creams. When using any DHA product, it always best to gently exfoliate the skin first in order to get the best results.

A bronzer is a cosmetic product which also provides some extra color, but it is normally only used on the face. These are sold in the form powders or liquid make-up, and once they are applied they make the face appear less pale, but they are not helpful for whole-body tanning. As with all cosmetics they simply wash off with cleanser and water.

One tanning aid that is best avoided is the tanning pill. Generally considered unsafe, these pills have not been approved by the FDA. Their main ingredient in a color additive called canthaxanthin which promotes skin pigmentation but also has been linked to such serious health problems as liver damage, eye disorders, and severe itching.

Regarded as safe in general, DHA does still have some precautions for safe use that should be followed. It is best not to inhale it, and to avoid it coming into contact with the lips and eyes. Some evidence suggests that it may cause alteration to the DNA of skin cells over time and that it should not be ingested, but if used carefully there is no need to worry.

In moderation, exposure to the sun can be healthy and is important for proper synthesis of Vitamin D which is needed by the body to keep the bones strong and for immune purposes and cell growth. It is also important to remember that proper protection from excessive UV exposure in the form of a sunblock should always be used when outdoors for extended periods.




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