By now, most everyone is aware of the dangers that come from tanning. Namely, cancer. Which is why men and women have begun spray tanning in droves, getting healthy glow without all the guilt. Well it’s time to start feeling guilty, because new studies suggest that spray tans may cause cancer, too.
Tanning sprays have an ingredient called DHA, which is thought to be the culprit in causing cancer. It’s believed that this chemical damages DNA and causes tumors when inhaled, which can easily happen when you’re getting a face full of mist.
However, there’s no need to panic over past faux tanning just yet; while researchers are concerned about the effects of DHA, their conclusions are based on cell tests in labs, and not proven cases in humans. But one scientist does say that, “I’d be very concerned for the potential of lung cancer,” which sounds like pretty good reason to stay away from fake baking. [via The Daily Mail]
Are we headed towards a more pale future, lovelies? Do you spray tan? Will you continue to do so?
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guest
Life causes cancer.
guest
Listen to me. Listen VERY carefully.
Everything. Causes. Cancer.
Understand? Goood…
sunflower / 287 posts
I’m sorry, how is this surprising? You’re spraying CHEMICALS all over your body to give it an unnatural brown-ness. I’m surprised it took them this long to figure out that spray tans cause cancer.
guest
I do not get spray tans. I try to use sunscreen consistently when I am outside. BUT, like the others mentioned, I am not surprised that spraying chemicals all over my body (and possibly inhaling some of it) isn’t good for me.
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You know what else causes cancer? Being alive.
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I believe it.. Why do people want unnatural browny orangey skin in the first place?! Yuck.
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I heard that it also sets people on fire…lol
daffodil / 1607 posts
@Aaliyaan@xanga - exactly what i was thinking
guest
I don’t do that anyway.
Feeling guilty is stupid. Do something bc you enjoy it, or don’t do it because preventing the downsides is more important to you.
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Forever pale.
guest
Come on, it’s paint on your skin. Embrace your Whiteness! You know, like those people on “Twilight”. Have you seen them in public? It’s not makeup, they’re freakin’ pale!…
sunflower / 255 posts
@MzKeekz@xanga - I’m going to start lighting matches around orange people to see if this is true. xD
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I really don’t understand the reasoning behind getting tanned at all. Like…maybe I’m biased because I’m black so I’m about as dark as I want to be. I just think people should accept their paleness or not paleness and embrace it. If you get a natural tan, great but the lengths some people will go to look orange is just kind of silly to me.
guest
Darwinism.
guest
It’s probably as risky as most of the stuff for cosmetic use, but as the added element of being sprayed onto you (therefore might get into your lungs). I can almost guarantee, though, it’s much more safer than using a tanning bed. Different caners and all, but we inhale a lot of bad stuff as is. Still, depending on what the research finds, it might be good to stop spray tanning your kids. Which is dumb whether spray tans cause cancer or not.
guest
I like real tans if I am going to have a tan. Fake tans, no matter how you get them, look bad to me. Plus being in the sun is nice. Not “There’s Something About Mary” tan, but yeah.
guest
I’m assuming there must be more than one “DHA” because the one I know of is a fatty acid that naturally occurs in the body. I’m real confused now cause I know that there are DHA supplements that you can take.
guest
Not to be the bitch here, but for those saying that “life causes cancer”… to an extent that’s true, based on the high level of pollution in the world, but don’t use it as an excuse. You shouldn’t put crap and chemicals in or on your body just because it’s easy or convenient or trendy.
Secondly, if you’re shocked that spraying chemicals on your skin could possibly cause cancer, I agree with what someone above said. Darwinism at its best. Please, don’t think critically about the world around you, you’ll help the rest of us with our overpopulation problem.
Hey, I’ll give you one for free. Eating fat makes you fat! (Even though that’s only kind of true). You’re welcome!
guest
I’m sorry…. did we NOT think that spraying a chemical tanner on our skin would cause cancer?
orchid / 149 posts
@bittentothequick@xanga - I think you are also deficient in critical thinking. Everything we ingest is a chemical. Being a “chemical” is not synonymous with being harmful.
guest
Apparently everything causes cancer. We’re all going to die. That’s pretty much the news.