Thank you for this fascinating piece! I always feared that there had to be harmful chemicals to change the color of skin, especially detrimental when inhaled as a spray. I'll stick to my "whiter shade of pale."

by GigiSD Monday, April 29, 2013 at 08:33PM Report as inappropriate

I think tanning in general is just dangerous!

by Misselizabeth Sunday, January 20, 2013 at 01:59AM Report as inappropriate

Nice to know

by EricaF123 Friday, December 28, 2012 at 04:46PM Report as inappropriate

I guess bronzing make-up is here to stay.

by skinpro Friday, August 17, 2012 at 07:07PM Report as inappropriate

When I see articles about xyz causes cancer, my first reaction is, "what doesn't these days?" However, im confused by this article because it kept going back and forth between spray tan in a bottle and spray tan from the store. I use spray tan in a bottle. I can't live without it. I am getting older and my legs need as much color as I can give them to coverup problems. I think I will keep using the product (Lancôme, love it!) until more research is done. Seriously, is there anything that doesn't cause cancer? If the spray tan doesn't contain DHA is it okay? I need more info!

by Cheryl5752 Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at 02:06AM Report as inappropriate

very interesting

by LittleBunny Sunday, August 5, 2012 at 01:08PM Report as inappropriate

hm interesting

by Nicole2814 Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at 05:04PM Report as inappropriate

I am comfortable with the color of my skin. :)

by yestfl Monday, July 23, 2012 at 09:54AM Report as inappropriate

I agree with Crystal0107. We need to do our own research, read labels, and become very knowledgeable about how to proceed.

by CaroleVonAllten Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at 05:15PM Report as inappropriate

I think the best thing to do is be smart. Do your own research, read labels and do what is best for you.

by Crystal0107 Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 07:22PM Report as inappropriate

Funny, 20 years ago when I went through a phase of using self-tanners religiously, my husband made the offhand comment that "one day they will probably find them to be carcinogenic." I quit using them because they aren't worth the trouble but I am certain they also aren't worth the risk. It seems spray tanners would be bad to inhale even without the DHA concern so I wouldn't want to do that either. I just try to pamper my pale skin and make it look its using bronzers and highlighters. Not so time-consuming or messy, and I never have orange hands!

by benbri1 Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 05:31PM Report as inappropriate

how is DHA bad for you, its put in all the baby foods i give my son so i am curious now, i thought it was good.

by emily_cordelia_thoos Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 04:16PM Report as inappropriate

what doesn\'t cause cancer now?

by rachaellh13 Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 03:27PM Report as inappropriate

Wow its surpricing how you cant trust any product out there, even if they claim to be natural.

by Kary43 Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 03:06PM Report as inappropriate

If a post is going to claim and state things like "Its better than cancer" then having the links to the studies to back up statements like that are appropriate I believe. As a person who knows alot about this industry and safety issues you should always cover the mucus membranes; eyes, nose, lips, nipples and genital area. The studies I have seen were based on the booth spray tans as they cause the most inhalation of the product. Second is true airbrush and third is the HVLP gun which is used by most pro's in the industry. It has the least amount of over spray out of the options that are avail to the public. its interesting how people will use horrible chemicals to clean their house with, eat & drink out of dishes that are coated with chemicals from their dishwasher and put chemical dryer sheets in their laundry and have contact with their skin all day. Can you say "repeated exposure" just because some big conglomerate puts it on the shelf doesn't mean its good for you. So many body care products have formaldehyde, harsh detergents and cancer causing ingredients like BHT and BHA, Petrochemicals I could go on and on...Even high end skin care products as well. Be informed and ask questions but don't always believe the worst till you know all the facts.

by blondie4684 Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 01:58PM Report as inappropriate

If there is a chance of cancer, I don't want any exposure.

by alictasia Friday, July 6, 2012 at 09:28AM Report as inappropriate

It's funny how I can not find a link to the study claiming this anywhere, and when I asked a nurse practitioner to find the study it was miraculously mssing from medical info available to all doctors. Sounds like a certain company is trying to get their own name some free advertising

by HairItIz Thursday, July 5, 2012 at 08:10PM Report as inappropriate

What's really troubling is all the pagent moms who spray tan their little girls for beauty shows. It's over the top and now could possibly give them cancer, especially if their being exposed for years starting from a young age. Better to teach your little girl that beauty starts on the inside!

by VV001 Thursday, July 5, 2012 at 03:22PM Report as inappropriate

I went once and never again! Defiantly not the best way to take care of your skin

by alyssa_mchugh Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 02:54PM Report as inappropriate

let us be careful in what we are doing with our skin. being cautious enough keeps us from any unwanted event happen in the future.

by selle_lou Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at 10:00PM Report as inappropriate

qI dont believe this article one bit. DHA was originally given to diabetic children. Even if it is a cancer causer (what isnt these days) the lead cancer causer is still the sun and this feeds to the disqusting uv tanning craze. If im going to get cancer, id prefer not looking like a shriveled, wrinkled lump of leather in my casket.

by BCmakeup Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at 05:24PM Report as inappropriate

Great article, a lot of things I didn't know. I really don't understand the obsession with people wanting to be darker.

by yestfl Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at 03:57PM Report as inappropriate

This was a very interesting article. I've had one spray tan in my life and I use self-tanner on occasion, but this new information will really cause me to re-think my choices.

by RoleModel Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at 11:05PM Report as inappropriate

Well, chemical reactions on skin can't possibly be good. Probably it won't kill you if you use self-tanner every now and then, but then too much is likely to be questionable. I think once the fashion for tanning goes away, we'll all be healthier :)).

by venenumletalis Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at 04:14PM Report as inappropriate

This is something that everyone should be infformed about. Nothing is definitive but we all ahould be cautious. Personally, I have never spray tanned and now I am 100% sure that I will not in the future. Spray tanners should be careful as much as they can. Heath is the most important thing!

by selma Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at 02:04PM Report as inappropriate