Thread: Spray on tan - WARNING!

Reported by Angela An of 10TV News

We've all heard about the dangers of too much sun. What about the potential dangers of spray tans? The FDA recently issued a warning about a little-known substance used in those sprayers, but as 10TV discovered, not every tanning salon is telling consumers all the facts. At Sunberry Tanning, George Forby turns blondes into golden brown with the help of a chemical called DHA, dihydroxyacetone. "It's cheap, it's fun, and it makes you look better," said Stephanie Jones, spray tan customer. Better, however, might not always be safer. Whether you're tanning by hand or by booth, Forby says he knows the concerns surrounding DHA, which is why he tells his clients to hold their breath. According to the Food and Drug Administration, DHA could be hazardous if inhaled or swallowed. There's no way to know because DHA was never tested for internal use, only external. The FDA sent out a warning about DHA, recommending people cover their eyes, plug their nose, and protect their lips whenever using spray tans. 10TV discovered that these safety recommendations aren't always told to customers in central Ohio. At salon after salon 10TV went undercover to see just what was being said. One salon did tell our undercover producer to watch an instructional video. The video does mention using nose plugs and protective eyewear. The salon's owner told 10TV by phone, that any other questions are covered in a pamphlet that explains the FDA's recommendations. The pamphlet, however, insists DHA is safe. Kevin Miller, with the Ohio Board of Cosmetology, says that's not 100 percent true. "It's a chemical that the FDA has put a warning out about," Miller said. Miller says the risks from DHA being ingested are simply unknown, and because the state doesn't regulate spray tanning salons, there is nothing illegal if those salons don't mention the risks or recommendations. "Really, it's up to a consumer to be educated enough to say what is this all about?" Miller said. Despite the risks, some customers don't worry. "I have never had any health problems, and I've done spray tan about 50 times," one customer said. "It could be the consumer's responsibility, but I think it's also our responsibility to inform the clients of any problems they might have," Forby said. Forby says in his five years of tanning, he's never once had a customer complain.



Information cited from 10TV News http://10tv.com/?sec=specialreports&...743632902.html