Buzz
These days, I’m extremely careful about applying sunscreen, so much so that my skin tone remains a light beige, just as it was during the winter months, even now in July. Yet, if you’re dreaming of achieving a radiant, sun-kissed look, you might be curious about the safest methods to tan and whether any approach is genuinely risk-free.
The Sun Gives You Cancer
I often dismiss claims about certain food additives causing cancer, as the associated risks are usually negligible. However, sunlight is directly connected to cancer, and skin cancer holds the unfortunate title of being the most prevalent cancer in the United States.
Achieving a tan from the sun inevitably means exposing yourself to harmful UVA and UVB rays. Therefore, it’s wise to rely on sunscreen whenever possible to protect your skin.
Once you’ve developed a tan, it offers a slight shield against further sun exposure, but the protection is minimal: a tan provides roughly the equivalent of SPF 4 sunscreen. To put it in perspective, even SPF 15 sunscreen, when applied thinly (as most of us tend to do), offers only about SPF 4 protection.
Tanning Beds Also Give You Cancer
Indoor tanning, which relies on UV-emitting bulbs, is often marketed as a safer alternative to sunbathing. However, the difference is negligible. Both the US and the World Health Organization classify indoor tanning equipment as a carcinogen, and its use is linked to approximately 400,000 skin cancer cases annually in the US.
Tanning beds emit lower levels of UVB rays, which cause sunburn, but they deliver a high dose of UVA rays. While UVA promotes tanning, it also accelerates skin aging, wrinkling, and thickening, and increases cancer risks. So, while you might achieve a temporary glow, you’re compromising your skin’s long-term health.
Sunless Tanners Are Probably(?) Safe
If you’re determined to achieve a tan, spray tans and sunless tanning lotions are your safest options. Unlike sun exposure, they don’t harm your skin or increase the risk of skin cancer. These products contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a sugar-based compound that interacts with skin proteins to produce a brown tint. Some formulations are marketed as “DHA-free” but function similarly.
The color these products create isn’t a real tan—it merely mimics the appearance. Since it offers no substantial protection against UV rays, you’ll still need to apply sunscreen generously when outdoors.
While some uncertainties remain about the safety of sunless tanners, there’s no proof they’re more harmful than the cancer-causing effects of the sun. It’s important to weigh the risks realistically.
Here’s what we don’t know: Is inhaling spray tan mist or exposing mucous membranes (like those in your mouth and eyes) to it safe? For now, it’s advisable to wear nose plugs, lip balm, and goggles during a spray tan session. (Most tanning facilities provide these.) Alternatively, you can apply sunless tanning lotion at home for a similar effect, provided you can apply it evenly.
There’s also debate about whether DHA can harm the DNA in your skin, but so far, no conclusive evidence suggests it poses significant risks at typical tanning doses. Even if future studies confirm this, the risk is likely far smaller than the dangers of going outside without sunscreen.
