Health Matters: Spray Tanning Might Not be Safe Alternative

In Health Headlines, spray tanning has been used as a safe alternative to sun tanning; but a new investigation reveals sunless tanning sprays might not be risk-free after all.

There is a chemical in spray tans called Dihydroxyacetone (DHA). It has been shown in scientific studies to cause genetic mutations when applied to cells in a dish.

No studies have been conducted on humans. So, it’s not clear whether these changes would occur in people or whether they would pose health risks.

Fox News Medical “A” Team’s Doctor Marc Siegel says the concerns over the chemical are valid.

“Something in the dihydroxyacetone and this product this chemical has caused a lot of controversy because in animals and in cells it alters DNA and we don’t know whether that could lead to cancer or whether that could lead to birth defects,” said Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News Medical “A” Team.

Siegel says there is concern people are breathing in DHA through their lungs when their faces are sprayed. While he doesn’t advise anyone to put a chemical on their body.

He believes there is less exposure in the lotions.

“So if you put a little bit on your skin on like an arm or a leg you’re getting less of a problem and again the study does not show that that caused skin cancer,” said Dr. Siegel.

The Food and Drug Administration approved DHA for external use only. So it should not be inhaled, ingested or applied to the lips. The FDA also advises to not use this chemical near your eyes.

Reporting on Health Matters, I’m Jessica Solis.