Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

Should I get a spray tan? A doctor discusses whether it’s safe

Bobby Ghaheri, MD
Conditions
August 12, 2012
134 Shares
Share
Tweet
Share

We all know that the use of baby oils and baking in the sun for hours on end is probably not a good idea.  We know that increased sun exposure correlates with increasing skin cancer rates.  We know that it can cause accelerated skin damage in the form of pigmentation changes, wrinkles, and increased skin laxity.  Don’t believe me?  Check out this picture!  Truck drivers tend to get increased sun exposure on the left side, and in dramatic examples like this, you can see what happens when the only difference between left and right is the sun.

“But we want that golden hue!” my patients tell me. We live in the Pacific Northwest, where most people are one of 50 Shades of Pale. What’s the alternative if you just can’t tolerate enjoying your natural skin color? For many years, people have turned to sunless spray tanning. But is it safe?

The primary ingredient in spray tans is dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which the FDA approved in the 1970’s as a chemical to change the color of the skin. Without delving too deep into the science behind it, DHA affects (and changes) the amino acids in the skin, resulting in a darkening of the skin. Recently, the FDA came out and warned against spray tanning from the standpoint that DHA and other ingredients in spray tans can be irritants to the lungs.

The industry often cites the fact that DHA is derived from a sugar source.  “Dr. Ghaheri, are you saying that SUGAR IS BAD FOR THE SKIN?”  This argument is fallacious – it’s just not scientific. Your skin doesn’t know that DHA is from a sugar source. It just knows that DHA is messing with the DNA building blocks. Has it been shown that DHA causes skin cancer? No. Does that mean it’s safe? No.

A study by Jung and colleagues has shown that DHA-treated skin generates 180% more free radicals when that skin is exposed to the sun. Why would this happen? My feeling is that DHA is damaging/altering the skin’s natural defense mechanisms, so when UV radiation (which causes damage by free radicals) hits skin that can’t defend itself, we have a problem. So I concede that DHA doesn’t cause skin cancer. I’d argue, however, that DHA allows UV radiation to be more damaging.

What else is in many different spray tan formulas that could be a threat?

  • Propellants: some spray tans use dimethyl ether which is a skin irritant and toxic if inhaled
  • Preservatives: Phenoxyetanol is a less irritating version but many still contain parabens, which can also cause increased reactions to UV-B radiation and has been implicated in a potential role in breast cancer via mimicking estrogenic activity.

All in all, are you taking a giant risk in getting a spray tan?  Realistically, no you aren’t. But the skin is an organ. It absorbs what you put on it. We know that you are physically changing what your skin DOES when you change how it looks. If your goal is to look healthy, then I suggest that you care what you put in your body as well as what you put on your body.

Bobby Ghaheri is an otolaryngologist who blogs at The Wrinkle Whisperer and can be found @DrGhaheri on Twitter.

Prev

Apply folk wisdom to your family practice patients

August 12, 2012 Kevin 3
…
Next

Why are so many doctors complete jerks?

August 12, 2012 Kevin 31
…

Tagged as: Oncology/Hematology, Primary Care

Post navigation

< Previous Post
Apply folk wisdom to your family practice patients
Next Post >
Why are so many doctors complete jerks?

More by Bobby Ghaheri, MD

  • 8 myths about painful breastfeeding

    Bobby Ghaheri, MD
  • a desk with keyboard and ipad with the kevinmd logo

    Twitter Is my third office location

    Bobby Ghaheri, MD

More in Conditions

  • The unjust reality of racial disparities in pediatric kidney transplants

    Lien Morcate
  • The surprising medical mystery of a “good” Hitler: How a rescued kitten revealed a rare movement disorder

    Teresella Gondolo, MD
  • The power of coaching for physicians: transforming thoughts, changing lives

    Kim Downey, PT
  • Unlocking the secrets of cancer conferences: an end-of-life counselor’s journey among pharmaceutical giants

    Althea Halchuck, EJD
  • An obstetrician-gynecologist reveals the truth about reproductive planning and how to navigate society’s expectations

    Yuliya Malayev, DO, MPH
  • Nose-brain connection: The surprising link between allergies and mental health revealed

    Kara Wada, MD
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • The power of coaching for physicians: transforming thoughts, changing lives

      Kim Downey, PT | Conditions
    • The hidden factor in physician burnout: How the climate crisis is contributing to the erosion of well-being

      Elizabeth Cerceo, MD | Physician
    • Why affirmative action is crucial for health equity and social justice in medicine

      Katrina Gipson, MD, MPH | Policy
    • Unlocking the secrets of cancer conferences: an end-of-life counselor’s journey among pharmaceutical giants

      Althea Halchuck, EJD | Conditions
    • Why doctors aren’t to blame for the U.S. opioid crisis [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Nose-brain connection: The surprising link between allergies and mental health revealed

      Kara Wada, MD | Conditions
  • Past 6 Months

    • It’s time to replace the 0 to 10 pain intensity scale with a better measure

      Mark Sullivan, MD and Jane Ballantyne, MD | Conditions
    • “Is your surgeon really skilled? The hidden threat to public safety in medicine.

      Gene Uzawa Dorio, MD | Physician
    • Breaking point: the 5 reasons American doctors are dreaming of walking away from medicine

      Amol Shrikhande, MD | Physician
    • Revolutionize your practice: the value-based care model that reduces physician burnout

      Chandravadan Patel, MD | Physician
    • Unveiling the hidden damage: the secretive world of medical boards

      Alan Lindemann, MD | Physician
    • Breaking the cycle of racism in health care: a call for anti-racist action

      Tomi Mitchell, MD | Policy
  • Recent Posts

    • Medical errors and the power of apologies [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Finding your ideal work-life balance: tips for prioritizing personal life and achieving professional success

      Zahid Awan, MD | Physician
    • Boxing legends Tyson and Foreman: powerful lessons for a resilient and evolving health care future

      Harvey Castro, MD, MBA | Physician
    • 7 ways to beat burnout: a guide for health care professionals to reduce stress and reclaim their passion

      Marie Livesey, DO | Physician
    • The unjust reality of racial disparities in pediatric kidney transplants

      Lien Morcate | Conditions
    • The pros and cons of taking a gap year during medical school

      Med School Insiders | Education, Sponsored

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

View 4 Comments >

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

CME Spotlights

From MedPage Today

Latest News

  • Long COVID Cognitive, Depressive Symptoms Tied to Brain Inflammation Marker
  • 'Practice Changing' Trial on Activity Recs After Prolapse Surgery
  • What's With the Buzz Around NAD+ Injections?
  • Standing, Walking After Major Surgery Tied to Less Risk of Post-Op Complications
  • Tenapanor Improves Abdominal Symptoms in Patients With IBS-C

Meeting Coverage

  • Tenapanor Improves Abdominal Symptoms in Patients With IBS-C
  • Benefits Found for Hand OA Drug Treatments
  • MRI-Based Screening May Detect Prostate Cancer Earlier
  • New Model Aims to Study Intestinal Fibrosis in Crohn's Disease
  • Hypertension Tied to Worse Survival After Surgery for Upper Tract Urothelial Cancers
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • The power of coaching for physicians: transforming thoughts, changing lives

      Kim Downey, PT | Conditions
    • The hidden factor in physician burnout: How the climate crisis is contributing to the erosion of well-being

      Elizabeth Cerceo, MD | Physician
    • Why affirmative action is crucial for health equity and social justice in medicine

      Katrina Gipson, MD, MPH | Policy
    • Unlocking the secrets of cancer conferences: an end-of-life counselor’s journey among pharmaceutical giants

      Althea Halchuck, EJD | Conditions
    • Why doctors aren’t to blame for the U.S. opioid crisis [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Nose-brain connection: The surprising link between allergies and mental health revealed

      Kara Wada, MD | Conditions
  • Past 6 Months

    • It’s time to replace the 0 to 10 pain intensity scale with a better measure

      Mark Sullivan, MD and Jane Ballantyne, MD | Conditions
    • “Is your surgeon really skilled? The hidden threat to public safety in medicine.

      Gene Uzawa Dorio, MD | Physician
    • Breaking point: the 5 reasons American doctors are dreaming of walking away from medicine

      Amol Shrikhande, MD | Physician
    • Revolutionize your practice: the value-based care model that reduces physician burnout

      Chandravadan Patel, MD | Physician
    • Unveiling the hidden damage: the secretive world of medical boards

      Alan Lindemann, MD | Physician
    • Breaking the cycle of racism in health care: a call for anti-racist action

      Tomi Mitchell, MD | Policy
  • Recent Posts

    • Medical errors and the power of apologies [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Finding your ideal work-life balance: tips for prioritizing personal life and achieving professional success

      Zahid Awan, MD | Physician
    • Boxing legends Tyson and Foreman: powerful lessons for a resilient and evolving health care future

      Harvey Castro, MD, MBA | Physician
    • 7 ways to beat burnout: a guide for health care professionals to reduce stress and reclaim their passion

      Marie Livesey, DO | Physician
    • The unjust reality of racial disparities in pediatric kidney transplants

      Lien Morcate | Conditions
    • The pros and cons of taking a gap year during medical school

      Med School Insiders | Education, Sponsored

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Should I get a spray tan? A doctor discusses whether it’s safe
4 comments

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...