Spray Tans ARE Safe

Spray tans are safe
You may have read stories in the media today reporting on claims in the US that using self-tanning sprays may not be safe. We would like to allay any concerns these articles might have caused.
The most commonly used self-tanning ingredient is dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which chemically reacts with the amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) in the dead layer of the skin’s surface and causes a colour change which results in the ‘tan’ effect. DHA has recently been reviewed by the European Commission’s independent expert scientific committee (the SCCS), which advises the Commission on scientific matters and the safety of cosmetic ingredients. The SCCS looked at data to support the use of DHA in cosmetic formulations and also specifically its use in spray cabins.
The SCCS addressed the question of the product possibly being inhaled from self-tan sprays, and says “that the use of dihydroxyacetone as a self-tanning ingredient in spray cabins .... will not pose a risk to the health of the consumer”. The SCCS provides the maximum levels of DHA it reviewed – which reflect current use levels (10% in home-use cosmetic formulations and 14% in spray cabins).
As well as this endorsement on the safety of DHA itself from the SCCS, it is important to stress that in Europe the manufacture and import of all cosmetic products are covered by strict safety laws. There is a legal requirement that every cosmetic product must undergo a safety assessment before it is placed on the market. The assessment, carried out by specifically qualified assessors, covers all of the ingredients, the final product, how and where the product is to be used, how often and by whom.

The many consumers who enjoy sun-less tanning may continue to do so, confident in the safety of their products. It is important to remember though that self-tanning products don’t normally contain any sunscreens – so it is important to also use sun protection when going out in the sun.