Precautions to Take While Tanning

While using any tanning method, it is important to take the following precautions.

• Consult your doctor first if you are on any medication or suffering from any disorder or have any other reason to think that the tanning method you wish to use may cause complications.
• Test the product on a small area before tanning a larger area. This advice should be followed for lotions, sprays and bronzers.
• Read up about the method or product you wish to use. Find out if there has been any recent negative press on that product or method.
• Ask for recommendations. Skin tanning is not an area where one should choose the cheapest product or service. Cheap products or services may have no effect or produce adverse reactions.
• Protect your skin from harmful UV rays.

Risks Involved in Tanning

The risks of sunbathing have been well documented. We all know that the UV rays from the sun may cause skin cancer. They can also prematurely age the skin, trigger skin disorders and cause wrinkles. Sunbathing is not the only skin tanning methods that has associated risks. Here are some of the risks for other sun tanning methods.

• Tanning pills. Pills containing canthaxanthin have been linked to hepatitis and canthaxanthin retinopathy (yellow in the eye).
• Tanning accelerators. When tanning accelerators are taken by mouth, they can produce nausea, headaches and itchy skin.
• Tanning beds. There is a risk of skin cancer caused by tanning beds, as the skin is still being exposed to UV rays. Other risks include eye inflammations, skin irritations, sunburn and changes to the immune system.
• Tanning lotions.  Some tanning lotions may cause the skin to go yellow. They may also aggravate skin conditions.
• Spray tanning booths. Spray tanning booths may expose the mouth and eyes to dihydroxyacetone.

Choosing a Skin Tanning Method

When choosing a skin tanning method, take into account any skin disorders you have, the amount of risk you are willing to undergo in order to get a skin tan and the amount you are willing to spend. Consult your doctor if there is anything that might be aggravated or affected by a skin tan. Tanning tablets and accelerators are not recommended by many professionals. Tanning beds may still increase the risk of skin cancer. The safest methods of skin tanning seem to be a sunless skin tanning product or a bronzer. The other option is to forego getting a skin tan altogether.