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Tanning

Many people in our culture think that a tan gives the aura of good health.  But a suntan actually signals sun damage to the skin.  When exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation the skin produces a pigment called melanin to protect itself from burning.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology more than 1 million people visit tanning salons on an average day.  What many of these people don’t know is that indoor tanning devices such as tanning beds and sunlamps emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation that is similar to and sometimes more powerful than the sun.

Ultraviolet light can cause wrinkles and other signs of premature skin aging, skin cancer, damage the eyes and the immune system.

The FDA enforces regulations related to the labeling and use of these products, while the Federal Trade Commission focuses on false, misleading, and deceptive advertising claims.

Also remember some medical conditions such as lupus and diabetes can make skin more sensitive to light, as can some drugs such as birth control pills and medications such as the antibiotic tetracycline.

The bottom line here is that tanning beds and sunlamps are not particularly safe to use to obtain that golden tan that one so desires.  They must be used with caution and cannot be used heavily.

The FDA has approved DHA-containing sunless spray for external use to produce a tan since 1977.  DHA reacts with the dead skin cells in the outermost layer of the skin to produce skin color.  DHA is typically used in over-the-counter lotions and creams. It’s use is restricted to external application and it should not be inhaled, ingested, or used in such a way that the eyes and eye area are exposed to it because the risks if any are unknown.  If you choose to use a DHA spray in a tanning booth you should use protective measures on your eyes, nose and mucous membranes.

No tanning pills have been approved by the FDA.  Some tanning pills have been marketed that contain the color additive canthaxanthin.  When large amounts of canthaxanthin are ingested, the skin can turn a range of colors from orange to brown.  This additive is not listed as approved for inclusion in tanning pills in the United States, but rather is approved as a color additive for food in small amounts.

Tanning pills have been linked to health problems to include an eye disorder called canthaxanthin retinopathy, which is the formation of yellow deposits in the eye’s retina.  Canthaxathin has also been associated with liver injury and a severe itching condition called urticaria, according to the ADD.

To wrap all this up, sunless tanning products containing DHA are the only tanning products that are non-carcinogenic and which are associated with the fewest risks to your health.