Spray Tanning Issues - Essay Example

Spray Tanning Introduction More than million populations of America go to tanning salonsto get tan in one day. Of the customers, 70% are Caucasian girls and women, aged 16 to 49 years. One remarkably quick method of getting tan is spray tanning. A large number of spray tanning saloons are spread all over the U.S. Spray tanning is found to be more safer as compare to all other alternatives of sun tanning. (Sullivan, 2007) Composition and Physiology Spray tanning involves absolutely no ultra violet lights what so ever. It is a spray consists of dihydroxyacetone (DHA) and aloe vera. The aloe vera helps to enhance the DHA while giving the final finish a smooth soft appearance. When applied DHA reacts to the proteins and amino acids on the skin to produce a golden brown color. The bronzer is water-soluble and will wash off but does not affect the overall tan. It is designed to give an instant color. After the initial application a tan will take two to three hour to begin to darken. (Wittwer , 2008) After twenty-four hours it will reach the peak tan. Just as a natural tan it will fade with everyday washing. To maintain a great tan one should go and have a spray tan done every five to seven days as it will begin to wear off. The process to get a spray tan can take less than sixty seconds. Most of the saloons are offering this method of getting a tan, and often a perfect one. Spray tanning is the solution if someone is uncomfortable in applying tanners themselves and wants a UV free tan. Spray tanning helps eliminate streaking and rough discolorations, on suitably prepared skin, and is fast and simple. Generally within 10 seconds it is done. Most of the people use spray tan in the nude as the saloons are completely private, others may wear bathing suits or undies, but that's up to the person. Bronzers used can stain ones clothing, so the person should wear something dark, skimpy and made of a material like cotton. (Tillson, 2008)A consultant can guide how to protect nasal passages and mouth from breathing in the mist. Saloons also provide a shower cap for hair and eyes safety. Color appears instantly, though some of these fade and wash off since the actual shade usually appears wholly within 24 hours, with most of the self tanning products. (Ruderman, 2007) The number of sittings/ sessions will be up to the desired darkness. People's favorite celebrities like, Ashley Olsen, Christina Aguilera and Jessica Simpson also encourage use of spray tanning by using these themselves. And not so favorites like Brooke Hogan and Paris Hilton are on there too. (Strauss, 2008) Safety Recommendations for Spray Tanning Following are the safety recommendations for spray tanning booths: Eye Protection: Use of disposable eye protective covers generally known as Winkies. Lip Protection: Use of any kind of coating of a Lip Balm like Vaseline. Inhalation protection: Use of a nose filter that can be worn in order to protect mucous membrane of the nasal passages and also to provide inhalation protection.( John, 2006) Some Facts about Spray Tanning As a topical product researchers agree that DHA is approved to be used in sunless tanning saloons as mist, but has not been. DHA was not approved to be sprayed earlier on because of few of the chemicals present in the DHA solution are dangerously poisonous. With the latest craze, doctors warn that whilst the industry might call DHA a simple sugar solution, but its not. It is not an edible sugar, and no one should eat it. The government's regulations for DHA list several tolerable ingredients in the solution. It has arsenic, mercury and lead. Mercury and arsenic are truly allowed because of being initially permitted by the ministry for topical application, and these were never meant to come in contact with lungs, lips or any other sensitive body membranes area that would let it get into the blood stream. (Bennett, 2008) According to a survey, not all of the spray tanning booths offer something to their client in order to keep the spray out of client's lungs, and when they were asked about nose covers/filters, their response was "We don't keep nose filters, and don't know if you will be able to get those anywhere and also I will not recommend that because you may get lines on your face if you use them" the staff member said. (Goldman, 2006) Spray Tanning can be unsafe enough because of people with respiratory problems are supposed to do extra precautions. It is recommended that such people are supposed to wear respirator during the time they are in saloon. Use of all sorts of chemicals can be hazardous, but lead in particular is identified to affect development of brain. Officials say no one knows the effects spray tans create on a baby. ( DeCourcy, 2008) At one of the saloons in America, where News Channel went to show undercover, a noticeably pregnant member of staff in a saloon said she uses the saloon and it's quite safe she said the saloon is FDA-approved. Some of the saloons completely denied that the quantity of DHA that a person would inhale will pose a health risk (Alexander, 2006) When it was investigated from ministry and state health departments to find out if these sunless tanning booths are being regulated, they said that they don't. The U.S. board of cosmetology gives away permits for use of UV tanning beds, but they do not have any kind of regulatory authority on sunless spray tanning booths. (Langreth, 2008) Conclusion Concerned that tanning can cause lung cancer and eye damage, it is recommended that teens must require a doctor's prescription before allowing exposing themselves to tanning booths. They must require parental consent and it should be seen as a long-term health issue. (Gallagher, 2008) Even though one may think they look better with a tan, it should be remembered that it does not only effect how they look but also ones health and when it comes to compare your appearance and health, one must always put their health first. Works Cited Alexander, Antoinette. Mass market retailers are basking in sunless tanning, sun protection sales, Drug Store News, 7/17/2006, Vol. 28 Issue 9, p33-33, 1/2p Bennett, Jessica. When Tonya Met Nancy, Newsweek, 3/3/2008, Vol. 151 Issue 9, p13-13, 1/4p Cosmo Girl, Secrets, Jun/July2007, Vol. 9 Issue 5, p156-156, 1p. DeCourcy, Mike. 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