Are “Instant” Tans Safe?
Are there health or safety concerns associated with “instant”tanning products?
Are there health or safety concerns associated with "instant"tanning products?---- Julie Neely, MD
Blacksburg, Va
Dihydroxyacetone is the active ingredient in thesunless tanning lotions and mists that are appliedin salons. These products are mildly sunprotectivestains that have not been associatedwith any safety concerns. They are a fine alternativefor persons who want to look tan but who don'twant to damage their skin. An excellent review is listedbelow.---- David L. Kaplan, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology
University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine
University of Kansas School of Medicine
References:
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Levy SB. Dihydroxyacetone-containing sunless or self-tanning lotions.
J AmAcad Dermatol.
1992;27:989-993.
