There’s nothing like a beautiful, rich, bronzed tan to make you feel gorgeous and confident. But since sun tanning may not be possible for everyone, indoor tanning provides an excellent alternative.
When it comes to a quick tanning fix, tanning beds and spray tans are the most common options. But which one is the best option for beautiful, sun-kissed skin? Keep reading for the complete breakdown of the two methods of tanning.
Understanding Tanning Beds
Tanning beds have been around since the 1950s and have been declining in popularity due to health risks. In fact, 19 states have banned tanning beds for those under 18 years, and 23 states, including Arizona, require minors’ parental permission for tanning bed use.
Tanning beds use ultraviolet (UV) light radiation to activate the melanin in the skin, effectively darkening the skin. The bed is lined with UV tanning bulbs that soak your body in UV light. Most tanning beds use only UVA light, though some use both UVA and UVB light.
Even though tanning beds are easy to customize based on the frequency and time and provide an even, long-lasting tan (can last up to 2 weeks), the cons outweigh the benefits.
- Exposure to UV rays increases the risk of getting skin cancer: According to the American Academy of Dermatology, just one tanning session with a tanning bed can increase the risk of developing skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma by 29%, melanoma by 20%, and squamous cell carcinoma by 67%).
- Can cause premature aging: The radiation from these tanning beds can also make you age faster — they make it easy for your skin to develop wrinkles and fine lines at a young age.
- Increased risk of sunburns: If your skin is fairly light, you should avoid using a tanning bed as this skin type is likely to burn under the UV rays.
- Can cause skin peeling: A tanning bed may cause your skin to peel off and appear red.
- Can be expensive: You’ll have to go for frequent sessions for your skin to develop the tan that you want. These costs can quickly add up, and you may end up spending more to get the tan you want.
Luckily, there’s a better and relatively cheaper way to get your glow on that doesn’t put your skin and health at risk. Spray tan to the rescue!
Understanding Spray Tans
Spray tanning has been around since the 1960s and has become a popular tanning solution as it gives you a tanned look without exposing your skin to harmful UV rays. Spray tanning works by coating the skin with various chemicals, with DHA (Dihydroxyacetone) as the active ingredient. DHA reacts with the amino acids in dead skin cells in the skin’s surface layer, particularly arginine, lysine, histidine, and forms various brown compounds called melanoidins. It’s these melanoidins that are responsible for the tanning of the skin. Since the dead skin cells are continually being shed, a spray tan can only last for 7-10 days.
Unlike UV light, DHA doesn’t cause skin damage and has even been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for cosmetic use. Even though DHA is derived from simple sugars in sugar beets and sugar cane, you should not ingest it. That’s why at Hydrate Salon & Spa Inc., our spray tanning technicians always protect you from inhaling the tanning spray as well as DHA exposure to the eyes, ears, and lips. We provide protective eyewear, nose filters and lip balm, and all our spray tan systems are cleaned and sanitized immediately after each session.
While there are at-home spray tanning options, going to a tanning salon to get a professional spray tan from a trained service provider like Hydrate Salon & Spa Inc. will result in the best look. Benefits of getting a spray tan include:
- Instant, even tan: With our trained spray tanning technicians, you can be sure that you’ll get a perfectly even tan across your body.
- You can sculpt your body: Our skilled spray tanners can even sculpt your body using different shades of tan to highlight features like abs or minimize features like cellulite.
- It’s relatively cheaper than tanning beds.
- Healthier for your skin since there’s no exposure to dangerous UV light.
Call The Beauty Experts
There’s no doubt that spray tans are much better for you than a tanning bed. They offer an instant glow without any dangerous UV light exposure that can cause premature aging, sunspots, and even skin cancer. At Hydrate Salon & Spa Inc., we believe that healthy, beautiful skin begins with exceptional skincare. That’s why our spray tans are designed to nourish and improve your skin while giving you a mesmerizing, bronzed glow. If you’re looking for a spray tanning salon in Scottsdale, AZ, contact us to schedule an appointment today!
