It's just the cosmetic bronzer washing off. Once the water runs clear, pat dry and apply a moisturizer immediately. A spray tan can last up to 10 days. The more diligently you apply moisturizer, the longer the tan will last and the more evenly it will fade.
Don't use any products that exfoliate the skin such as scrubs, loofahs, washcloths, or toners. The face is the first place where a spray tan starts to fade. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and a light moisturizer.
Products that contain naturally-derived ingredients are almost always best. Shower water should be a lukewarm temperature for the duration of the tan. Many people associate the healthy glow of a tan with health and vitality. Yet research over the last few decades has shown that the healthy glow we get from the sun can lead to wrinkling and even cancer later on. At the current time, we aren't certain as to the safety of spray tans.
At the same time, we are learning that some of the application is absorbed into the deeper tissues of the skin. Spray tans are not currently FDA approved, as DHA is not approved for inhalation and spray tans are a mist and DHA is not approved for application to mucous membranes, such as the lips, nose, and tissues around the eyes. Risks, if present, are of greater concern for younger children and people who are pregnant, and this should be considered when making a decision about these sprays.
There are arguments for spray tans that view them as a lesser evil than traditional tanning, but this isn't necessarily a good argument. Perhaps, we should instead be celebrating the appearance of people who choose not to tan.
The concern over the safety of spray tans illustrates something every consumer should know. Just because a product is available, does not mean it is safe think: cigarettes. If it's thought to be safe when used in one way on the skin this does not mean it can be safely used in another such as ingestion or inhalation.
And the studies we do have may not be applicable to humans. Be your own advocate for your health. You don't need to live in a bubble fearing everything as a possible cause of cancer. But comparing the risks of benefits of what you put on or in your body, and making wise and healthy choices along the way, is a great start. Limiting processed foods and red meats can help ward off cancer risk. These recipes focus on antioxidant-rich foods to better protect you and your loved ones.
Sign up and get your guide! Use of tanning beds and incidence of skin cancer. Rehal B, Maibach H. Percutaneous absorption of vapors in human skin. Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology. A review of common tanning methods.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. Dihydroxyacetone: an updated insight into an important bioproduct. Leffell, professor of dermatology and surgery at the Yale School of Medicine. Just one bad sunburn significantly increases a person's risk of developing skin cancer later on. Once hailed as the smart alternative to tanning outside, spray tans can also be hazardous to your health.
The concern stems from use of dihydroxyacetone DHA in tanning solutions, which interacts with dead cells on the skin's surface to evoke color change. When used properly, DHA is considered safe. But many people don't use spray tans properly. Lab studies have shown that high levels of DHA -— much higher than you'd find in over-the-counter tanning products -— can increase free radical formation.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends self-tanning products as an alternative to tanning in UV light from the sun or an indoor tanning bed.
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This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Healthy Lifestyle Adult health. Products and services. Sunless tanning: What you need to know Sunless tanning is a practical alternative to sunbathing. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information.
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