Tanning WITHOUT health risks

My 5 minutes of fame- courtesy of Global News


It is well-known that excessive sun exposure causes skin damage and can lead to skin cancer. In our beauty-obsessed society people still seem to choose a beautiful tan over their health. Up to 80% of people under the age of 25 believe they look better with a tan. This may explain why the number of new cases of melanoma (skin cancer) is growing, while the rate of other types of cancer is leveling off.

Sunless tanning was created as a response to growing concern that there is a link between sun exposure and skin cancer. Spray tans are NOT a form of spray painting or dying the body, as some people assume. Rather, the spray contains dihydroxacetane (DHA) and the resulting 'tan' is a chemical reaction between the DHA and the amino acids in the layer of dead skin cells. This chemical reaction is similar to how the inside of an apple turns brown when it is exposed to the air. This product is completely safe and can even be used by pregnant women!

A couple of my classmates and I recently tried spray tanning. Naturally, we got our spray tans on Global TV. Global was doing a story on spray tanning parties and so the 4 of us gave our opinions on the matter, got a spray tan, and then revealed to the world the finished product. I would definitely recommend it as a safe alternative to sun exposure. Although we got our tans for free, it is pretty pricey, each spray tan costs about $60. However, I think it is definitely worth is before a big event or even before you go away somewhere so that "you have some colour on the beach." (I stand by the line I said on TV)

For more tanning facts click here.

Check out aislin's blog for a look at the do's and don'ts of being on Global TV.


Below is the 4 of us with our spray tans. Looks pretty legit to me!