| Back in the 1980's, we started hearing about all the | | | | people's blood stream. |
| new ways to get a tan. I believe at that time we | | | | It's funny though; the FDA still hasn't approved the |
| were discussing the "Big Hole in the Ozone Layer" | | | | use of DHA in spray tan booths. |
| and how the UV rays were coming through our skin | | | | Oh, and let's not forget that there are normally |
| like wildfire. That's why a lot of people started to use | | | | around 45 ingredients associated with a tanning spray. |
| spry-on tans. That seems like forever ago, but there | | | | No one knows if this particular mixture is safe for |
| is always someone out there trying to put the "fear | | | | your body. Definitely something to think about before |
| factor" into society's mind. | | | | you put your next application on. |
| So we all started buying the hype (much like the | | | | You have to remember that your skin in the largest |
| water for gas products during the gas spike), and | | | | organ you have in or on the body. Since there are no |
| went out to purchase the suggested products. | | | | findings of health benefits regarding spray tans, you |
| Unfortunately, companies forgot to tell us that the | | | | could be harming your body a great deal. Sure, you |
| products they were releasing weren't always safe. | | | | probably won't feel it today or tomorrow, but as it |
| Sure we trust the FDA guidelines, but often time's | | | | grows within the body, you could develop a serious |
| companies get away with adding various ingredients | | | | health issue over a period of time. |
| to their product. | | | | The FDA's Take |
| After getting a glimpse of what's really going on, you | | | | Well, in short, according to 21 CFR 73.2150 and 21 |
| have to wonder about the spray tan booths out | | | | CFR 70.3v of the FDA regulations, DHA is restricted |
| there today. However, we always hear about how | | | | to external application only when using sunless tanning |
| they're a healthy alternative to spending the day in | | | | products. This means no lips, no inhalation from |
| the sun. So for an upgraded fee, you too can utilize | | | | sprays, just simple topical additions. |
| one of these booths. The truth is these aren't nearly | | | | Unfortunately the industry itself hasn't provided |
| as healthy as staying in the sun (using proper | | | | safety data to the FDA regarding this matter. |
| precautions), and have no health benefits themselves. | | | | Without the data, they can't approve or disapprove |
| Why Spray Tans are Harmful | | | | its actual use. They need to do something though if |
| Well, what it comes down to is you don't get any | | | | people are entering spray tan booths everyday and |
| increase in Vitamin D from spray tans. Even though | | | | being exposed around the eyes, nose, mouth, and |
| you may look like you spent the weekend in Brazil, | | | | even inhalation. Here's a short list of common side |
| truth of the matter is that 5 minute spray did nothing | | | | effects: |
| for your health. | | | | * Rashes |
| If you've been a faithful reader of my articles, you | | | | * Coughing |
| already understand the benefits that come from | | | | * Dizziness |
| proper amounts of Vitamin D. Would you trade your | | | | * Fainting |
| cosmetic appeal for true health? Hopefully not, which | | | | Ask Yourself the Proper Safety Questions |
| is why you need to take the proper precautions. | | | | If you do use a spray tan booth, ask yourself the |
| The Ingredients | | | | following questions according to the FDA: |
| Ever heard of dihydroxyacetone? I'm sure you've | | | | * Am I protected from exposure in my entire eye |
| seen it before; it's simply the color additive that | | | | area? |
| darkens your skin. The short name is DHA. However, | | | | * Am I protected from exposure on my lips and all |
| it's not the same DHA omega-3 fat. You'll find that it | | | | parts of my body covered by mucous membranes? |
| reacts with the amino acids in the skin layer on the | | | | * Am I protected from internal exposure caused by |
| surface, which in turn creates your glow. | | | | inhaling or ingesting the product? |
| Most of the sunless tanning products today contain | | | | If you answered NO to any of these, you're not |
| around 1%-15% DHA. The higher you go in | | | | protected. |
| percentage, the darker your tan will get over a | | | | According to Dr. Wade (also a toxicologist), you |
| period of time. | | | | should leave any establishment that doesn't tell you |
| If you listen to medical terms, DHA is considered to | | | | that you need to wear protection. |
| be a carbohydrate sugar solution. However, it's been | | | | My Advice |
| debated by several toxicologists over the past 5 | | | | Just avoid them all together. The booths, the lotions, |
| years. Even Dr. Thomas Pierce who deals with the | | | | the topical cream or anything else that could possibly |
| investigation of tanning beds issued a warning about | | | | contain harmful ingredients should be avoided. |
| DHA. "It is not an ingestible sugar, and no one should | | | | Like I said before, fake tans contain no healthy |
| be eating it," he said in a previous interview. | | | | features. Just because you look like your tan, doesn't |
| I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the U.S. | | | | mean you're getting that healthy dose of Vitamin D. |
| government's regulations allow contaminants in spray | | | | The way to do this is by supplement, food, natural |
| tans. While they do go by other names, lead, arsenic, | | | | sunlight, or a safe tanning bed. |
| and mercury are present. | | | | The goal here is to help you understand the issues |
| If you're pregnant and spray tanning, lead is a huge | | | | that can arise from tanning sprays and lotions. Would |
| issue. We don't know how big the effect will be on | | | | you rather have Vitamin D or a host of toxic |
| the child, especially when it comes to brain | | | | chemicals entering your system? |
| development. | | | | It's a simple question and one that is easily answered. |
| In all honesty, you should simply avoid spray tans all | | | | So if you want to know more about the benefits of |
| together. Even though this may be a small burden, a | | | | safe sun exposure just come to my site. |
| serious health issue like cancer would definitely | | | | Society has ignored the benefits of sun exposure for |
| overshadow it. | | | | too long, and it's time to bring everyone back to the |
| Back in the 1970's, DHA was approved by the FDA. | | | | truth. |
| Keep in mind this was only for topical applications, | | | | If by chance I'm too late and you've been noticing |
| because who would have thought people would | | | | adverse reactions, head to the nearest FDA office. |
| spray a fine mist years down the road. The | | | | You can find the listing in your phone book. |
| development of issues started to arise thanks to the | | | | Help get these products off the market until they |
| contact with the lips, lungs, and other sensitive | | | | make them safe! |
| membranes, which of course meant it went to | | | | |