For the short term, sunless tanners OK, but avoid pills
Dear Doctor K: I like to look tanned, but I’m fairskinned and can’t spend too much time in the sun. Are sunless tanning lotions and sprays safe?
You can buy self-tanning products over the counter and apply them yourself, or you can go to a salon that offers sprayon or airbrush tans. The active ingredient in all of these products is dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a color additive often derived from plant sources. It’s FDA-approved for tanning purposes.
The coloring process affects only the surface layers of your skin. So your “tan” lasts only as long as those layers stay on your body -- five to seven days. After they slough off, you’ll need a reapplication.
Self-tanning is generally considered safe, although there have been few safety studies. Allergic reactions are rare, but the long-term effects remain largely unknown. I would say that more research is needed before DHA can be declared safe for long-term use.
Even if you’re sporting a faux glow, it’s important to practice proper sun protection. You still need to use plenty of sunscreen or sunblock when you’re out in the sun. Choose sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15.
I advise against using tanning beds at a salon, spa or gym. These tanners emit the same UV waves as the sun, the waves that cause skin cancers and skin aging.
Worse, the self-tanning industry is largely unregulated. No one has measured and reported the amount of ultraviolet radiation generated by the machines — and no one will close down the machine if it is generating excessive amounts of radiation.
During a spray-on tanning session, make sure your eyes, lips, ears, nose and mucous membranes are covered. Hold your breath to avoid inhaling the product while it is being applied.
Some self-tanning products are sold as pills containing a color additive. These pills are not safe when taken in the amount recommended for tanning. Stick with the stuff you spray or rub onto your skin. Dr. Komaroff is a physician and professor at Harvard Medical School. To send questions, go to AskDoctorK. com, or write: Ask Doctor K, 10 Shattuck St., Second Floor, Boston, MA 02115.