Nasal spray for tanning is trending on TikTok & We find out if it’s safe

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I’m a millennial so one of my biggest shames is that I went sunbathing in the early 2000s. But at the time, people didn’t do anything – even at risk of skin cancer – to have fawn skin. Now that we have a much better understanding of the risks, most people choose instead one of the dozens of well-known fake tanning products on the market. But it seems some are still trying risky products in search of their ideal skin tone. On TikTok, Nasal spray tans has spread. That’s right, people are spraying a solution up their noses to give them a tan. But is it safe to use? And how?

We talked to a dermatologist in New York, Dr. Whitney Bowe to get to the bottom of this rather worrisome trend. “Unfortunately, the nasal sprays that promote a tan ‘from within’ don’t have enough science to prove their safety for me to use them,” she says. you’re producing melanin, you’re basically ticking and stimulating the melanin-producing cells, called melanocytes, to pump out the pigment.In theory, you could actually over-stimulate one of those cells in such a way that it actually encourages tumor formation, such as melanoma.” Eek!

Dr. Bowe recommends staying away from these sprays until they’ve been rigorously tested for safety. There are a few other giant red flags she sees with the distinctive Permatan branding. First, the brand claims that the formula works even better with bask, in response to a comment on TikTok: “It works as well as natural artificial UV rays so they can be used with Sunbathing bed. ”

“Intentional encouragement bask, or use a tanning bed, is a big ‘no’ in my book! ‘ says Dr. Bowe. ‘ can protect you from burns. Whether you burn or tan in the sun, either sign of DNA damage can increase your risk skin cancer and premature aging. “

Dr. Bowe is also concerned about formula usage. “The mucous membranes in your nose allow absorption into the bloodstream and put you at risk for systemic side effects,” she says. “I have heard reports of people experiencing nausea, rashes and even fluctuations in libido from using these sprays.” And then there’s the fact that your skin is supposed to tan because five?! If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

“No tan will last for many years,” says Dr. Bowe. “The whole site looks suspicious and I don’t know that I trust the ingredient list.”

Instead, she recommends using topicals homemade tanning cream and replace it with a lotion containing DHA (dihydroxyacetone). “We know that when DHA is rubbed onto the skin, it stains the surface skin and is considered safe,” she said. Some of my favorite brands include Jergens, St. Tropez, Tan-Luxe and Isle of Paradise. Or you can remember all skin is good skin and you don’t have to have a certain degree of tan to be beautiful.