Staying Healthy
Ask the doctor: How safe are sunless tanners?
Q. Instead of tanning outside in the sun, I've been using a sunless tanner. Are sunless tanners safe?
A. Using a sunless tanner is much safer than tanning by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light—either outdoors or from tanning booths—which can increase skin cancer risk. Nevertheless, some scientists have voiced concern that the compound dihydroxyacetone (DHA)—an agent in sunless tanners that darkens skin by reacting with proteins on the skin's surface—may itself damage skin and make it more vulnerable to sun-induced damage. Despite these concerns, the FDA has approved sunless tanners for external use, but you need to avoid your eyes, nose, and mouth when using these products. This is more of a challenge if you go to a spray self-tanning booth or use a spray preparation yourself than if you use a topical cream or gel.
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