Sunless tanning is a practice that involves giving skin a healthy-looking glow without risking potential damage from the sun's rays. Sunless tanning products include lotions and sprays that are applied directly to the skin, as well as tanning pills that contain a substance called canthaxanthin. Canthaxanthin is essentially extra pigment, that when ingested, causes the skin to turn color. Topical forms of sunless tanning are generally safe, though some minor risks may apply. Tanning pills are not approved by the FDA and therefore carry more serious health risks.
Toxic Fumes
Sunless tanning products contain a chemical called dihydroxyacetone,or DHA, that provides a darkening effect of the skin for up to a week. DHA is FDA-approved for what the agency called "external application." Studies have not been adequately performed to know how the body responds to the accidental ingestion of DHA, but internal use of the substance is not approved or recommended. The risk of inhaling DHA through the mouth or nose can be prevented by wearing protective garments over the eyes, mouth and nose while applying sunless tanning products.
Skin Rash
Although the DHA content in sunless tanning sprays and lotions are approved for use on the skin, sensitivity is always a risk when applying topical agents to the body. People who have sensitive skin, eczema or other dermatological conditions should read labels carefully to learn about both the active and inactive ingredients in the tanners. Test sunless tanning products on a small patch of skin before applying it to the entire body, to avoid an allergic reaction or a full body rash.
Retinopathy
Tanning pills carry large risks that can be damaging to the health. The active ingredient in pills is called canthaxanthin, and is a substance that exists in small doses in some types of food. When the dosage is increased many times over through the use of tanning pills, the pigmentation collects in the body in unhealthy ways. A serious risk posed by non-approved tanning pills is an eye condition called retinopathy. The canthaxanthin pools and crystalizes in the retinas, making the eyes appear yellow or orange.
Gastrointestinal Illness
Taking tanning piils puts people at risk for not only eye problems, but stomach problems as well. Nausea, stomach cramping and vomiting may all occur when taking oral sunless tanning products. Pharmacists studying the use of canthaxanthin pills for skin coloration purposes reported in the August 1993 issue of "American Pharmacy" that some people experience itching of the skin and hives when using the supplement.
