3 Crucial Reasons to Switch to Organic Spray Tans
Sunless tanning became popular when research linked UV exposure to skin cancer. Since then the industry has evolved and grown popular, particularly among celebrities, as a safer alternative to the tanning bed.
While a fake tan is much safer than a real one, anytime you are spraying chemicals onto your body it’s a good idea to take a closer look at what those chemicals are. Unfortunately spray tans aren’t always 100% harmless, though we would like to think they are. Therefore, here are three crucial reasons to switch to organic spray tans.
1- Chemicals
Though spray tan is better than sunbathing, there are still some nasty chemicals found in non-organic sunless tanners.
Early versions of sunless tanners stained the skin to create a sunbathed look, but dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is the main ingredient in today’s spray tans. DHA is derived from plants and when applied to your skin reacts with the amino acids found on the dead skin cells on your top layer of skin. This results in a browning effect, which imitates a tan.
DHA alone isn’t found to be harmful when applied to skin, but some of the other ingredients found in non-organic spray tan solutions are more questionable. Parabens are common in cosmetics and beauty supplies, and are also found in non-organic sunless tanners. They are a preservative meant to extend the life of your tan. However, they affect the endocrine system and are suspected to be linked to a host of issues including miscarriages cancer, fertility problems and obesity (Adams, 2014).
Furthermore, many non-organic spray tan solutions include chemical fragrances that can irritate your lungs and trigger asthma. Organic spray tan skips out on the unnatural ingredients so that your skin isn’t irritated and you don’t suffer an adverse reaction or long-term health effects while achieving your sun kissed glow.
2- No UV Rays
Organic spray tan protects you from the sun’s cancer causing UV rays without the orange look.
Most people are very familiar with the research linking UV exposure and skin cancer. If that isn’t bad enough, sun exposure also prematurely ages your skin, causes cataracts and even causes immune suppression. Also, anyone who lost track of time while lying on the beach knows the pain of a sun burn and the resulting unattractive peeling skin.
While any spray tan is better than baking in a tanning bed, the natural ingredients found in organic sunless tanners achieve a more natural glow (Applebaum, 2013).
You can avoid the undesirable orange look often associated with sunless tanning by going for a natural, organic approach.
3- Less Toxic
You will likely be inhaling some of it, so you may want to pick something less toxic.
Unfortunately, applying sunless tanning lotion still often results in a streaky, undesirable look. Samba Glow said, “Spray tan is superior when it comes to achieving an even, natural tan appearance.” While that is the case, the process of spraying chemical around your body and face can result in some inhalation.
While DHA in sunless tanners isn’t harmful on your skin, the effects of inhalation are yet to be determined. The FDA strongly cautions spray tan recipients to cover their eyes, nose and lips while being sprayed (Kubota, 2014). Unfortunately, even with goggles and nose plugs it is difficult to keep 100% of the spray tan mist from getting into your system. With that in mind, opting for more natural ingredients is a wiser choice. Organic tans use more naturally derived DHA, and avoid the long list of chemicals and additives common in non-organic spray tans.
As long as looking tan is still popular and the sun is still harmful, spray tanning is going to be the best option for those looking for a healthy glow. Protect your skin and look fabulous by researching the product you put on your body before scheduling your next appointment to get a spray tan. You’ll thank yourself later if you decide to go organic.
