Spray Tanning: The Sun-less, Cancer-less Alternative

Spray tanning, sunless tanning, self-tanning, tan extending, UV-free tanning, whatever your preferred nomenclature, is sweeping the nation. Long gone are the days where you could make fun of your orange friend because he or she used too much spray tan. Now that the spray tan scientists have developed the power to create all-natural-looking tans, while still keeping them cancer-free, it is only a matter of time before everyone looks like a bronzed god. Albeit, an artificially bronzed god.

What is it?

Spray tanning is a form of sunless tanning in which a spray solution is applied to the skin, either at a tanning salon (in a spray tan booth) or done by yourself with the help of spray tanning products purchased from a local drug store or grocery store. If you are worried that you won’t be able to apply an even tan yourself (especially when it comes to those hard to reach places), then it may be worth it to drop a few more dollars and go to a spray tanning booth, where assistance is generally provided if needed.

The main acting ingredient in many spray tanning formulas is dihydroxyacetone, more commonly referred to as DHA. DHA works by reacting with amino acids located in the top layer of dead skin cells on a person’s body. In turn, this outermost layer of skin is temporarily darkened until the dead skin cells naturally slough away (about five to seven days). While the color does not wash off, it gradually fades, generally bringing you back to your natural shade by the end of the week.

For best results, it is important that you shave, wash, exfoliate, and moisturize any skin area that you plan on spray tanning. Excess hair can lead to uneven tanning and failure to exfoliate your skin can seriously diminish how long your tan lasts. Essentially, the exfoliating process wipes away any excess dead skin cells from the surface of your skin, leaving an even layer of surface skin cells to be artificially tanned.

Who needs it?

If you have fair or pale skin (also known as Richie Cunningham’s disease), then spray tan is probably for you. That is to say, if you have trouble tanning in natural sunlight, or if you burn easily, self-tanning is the easy alternative, as it is reasonably priced in most pharmacies and drug stores.

Otherwise, spray tan is an easy solution for those who live in frigid parts of the world, or areas that don’t typically get sunlight. Let’s also not forget about those who need glowing tans year-round, even during those lifeless winter months (i.e. bodybuilders, the girls holding briefcases on Deal or No Deal, George Hamilton).

Benefits

The biggest benefit to spray tanning is that it involves absolutely zero ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can cause skin cancer or melanoma, and is the number one risk involved in sun-tanning, whether it be on the beach or in a booth.

Spray tanning is also considered one of the best methods of sunless tanning because it is easy to apply evenly, as opposed to tanning lotions where even application can be hard to measure and therefore cause streaks and tan lines. Also, spray tanning is a hands-free process unlike lotion, which is helpful considering that DHA can be extremely difficult to wash off hands. On top of all that, spray tanning systems usually dry much faster than lotions, gels, and mousses. In some cases you may be able to see results after an hour, but it generally takes eight to 24 hours to see full results, which is still fairly quick.

Risks

There is some risk involved if you plan on getting a spray tan or mist-on tan at a salon, seeing as how the spray is applied to all parts of the body, including the face. While it is still unknown what the risks are, if any, of inhaling or ingesting DHA, it’s probably best not to find out. So you may want to bring goggles or nose plugs if you’re going into a spray tan booth, or at the very least close your eyes and hold your breath.

It is also important to note that spray tan will stain your clothes, so you should wait for it to dry completely on your skin before you get dressed. Generally it’s a 15 to 20 minute process. So sit back, watch an episode of Golden Girls naked, and then go out into the world and impress everyone with your stunning new tan!