Is It Safe to Get a Fake (Sunless) Tan?
Many people want to look tan without spending time in the sun. There are products that claim to give a natural-looking tan without sun exposure, from spray tans or self-tanners to indoor tanning devices like tanning beds. However, not all these methods are safe or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and some may carry health risks. Understanding the risks of different tanning options can help you protect your skin and lower your risk of skin damage.
Types of sunless tanning methods
Some products and methods of sunless tanning claim to give you a tan without sun exposure, but these are not all regulated in the same way. Some methods, like tanning pills, shots, and nasal sprays, are not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They may carry health risks. Others, such as spray tans and self-tanning lotions, use an FDA-approved ingredient. These are considered safe when used as directed.
Tanning pills claim to tint the skin by using color additives, such as canthaxanthin. Canthaxanthin is an FDA-approved food dye, but it is not approved for tanning skin. These color additives may be harmful at the high levels used in tanning pills. For example, canthaxanthin can show up in the eyes as yellow crystals, which may cause injury and impair vision. There have also been reports of liver and skin problems in people who use these pills.
Tanning gummies contain carotenoids (beta-carotene) found in colorful fruits and vegetables. These products claim to work from the inside out to give the skin a tint. High doses increase the risk of harmful side effects, such as liver toxicity.
Once swallowed, the additives in the pills and gummies travel through the body and typically turn the skin an orange-like color.
Tanning pills and gummies are not approved by the FDA. These products do not provide protection from UV rays and are not regulated by the FDA.
Tanning shots (injections under the skin) are sometimes called a “tan jab.” Most contain chemicals such as melanotan, an artificial (lab-made) substance. Melanotan is related to melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH), which helps skin cells make more melanin. Melanin is the brown pigment that gives the skin its tan or brown color.
Tanning shots are not approved by the FDA. They may cause serious side effects, and their safety has not been established. These shots may cause nausea, vomiting, sexual side effects, or other reactions. Some reports have also suggested they might increase the risk of premature skin aging and skin cancer.
Tanning nasal sprays are products that can be inhaled through the nose. Like tanning shots, most contain melanotan and possibly other chemicals.
Tanning nasal sprays are not approved by the FDA. Because these products aren’t regulated, it’s not always clear what they contain. Their safety has not been established, and they may cause side effects similar to those caused by tanning shots.
Tanning accelerators come in the form of lotions, oils, gels, or pills. Usually, these products contain an amino acid called tyrosine or a tyrosine by-product. These products are marketed as helping the skin tan more easily, but there is little evidence that they work. They are often sold at indoor tanning salons.
The FDA has not approved these products to be safe or effective. These products are not regulated and can cause acne and rashes.
An indoor tanning device is a machine, such as a tanning bed, booth, or sunlamp, that gives off UV rays to make the skin darker and create a tan. Some people use these devices to tan their skin instead of being in natural sunlight because they believe indoor tanning is a safer way to get a tan.
Both UVA and UVB rays can cause long-term skin damage and can contribute to skin cancer. Tanning lamps often give off both UVA and UVB rays. Tanning bed use has been linked with an increased risk of melanoma. The risk is higher if a person starts indoor tanning before age 30. Tanning beds, booths, and sunlamps are not recommended.
Small UV lamps are also used in nail salons or can be used at home to dry certain types of nail polish, such as gel or shellac polish. These UV lamps give off UVA rays, but in much lower than from tanning beds. The risk of skin cancer from these lamps is thought to be low.
To be safe, some skin experts recommend applying sunscreen to the hands before using one of these lamps.
The FDA warns against using indoor tanning devices. It has stated that UV radiation from tanning devices may have serious health risks. These include sunburns, early skin aging, eye damage, and skin cancer.
Sunless tanning products include spray tans and self-tanning products, such as:
- Lotions
- Mousses
- Mists and waters
- Concentrates and drops
- Wipes
- Gradual tan moisturizers, which can also be called tan extenders
Some tanning products are marketed for a certain part of the body, such as the face and neck. Others are for the whole body.
How do sunless tanners work?
Sunless tanning products applied to the skin interact with proteins on the surface of the skin to produce a darker color. Like a tan, the color tends to wear off after a few days. Many of these products use an FDA-approved color additive for sunless tanners called dihydroxyacetone (DHA). It’s approved for external use, on the skin’s surface.
Products with DHA are not thought to be harmful when used properly. They have fewer risks than other tanning options like sunlight or tanning beds. These products should not be:
- Breathed in through the nose or mouth
- Swallowed
- Sprayed or applied in areas that have mucous membranes (eyes, nose, lips)
If you are considering a sunless tanning product, talk with your doctor. Keep in mind that most sunless tanning products do not contain sunscreen. Because of this, they likely do not offer protection against UV (ultraviolet) radiation.
These products are FDA-approved for use on the outside of the body to tint the skin. Some may contain sunscreen. Even if a sunless tanning product contains sunscreen, the protection is only effective for a couple of hours. Be sure to read the label carefully to know if a product provides any UV protection. It’s best to continue to use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when going outside.
Common questions about sunless tanning
Many people have questions about how sunless tanning affects skin cancer risk. The answers here can help you understand risks of sunless tanning.
Do spray tans cause cancer?
Because spray tanning does not expose the skin to UV rays, it is not known to increase skin cancer risk.
Spray tanning and tanning lotions use DHA to darken the skin. This is temporary, and the dark color fades over time. However, inhaling the spray can pose health risks, such as coughing or respiratory irritation.
Are sunless tanners safer than natural UV sunlight?
Both indoor tanning devices and natural sunlight expose the skin to UV rays. Although tanning beds give a quicker tan than natural sunlight, the intense UVA rays might cause skin to age quicker. Also, tanning beds have been linked to an increased risk of cancer.
Other forms of sunless tanning, such as tanning lotions or spray tans, are safer than natural sunlight because they do not require UV exposure. Getting sun exposure with protection, such as sunscreen or clothing, can lower your risk of skin damage or cancer risk.
No matter which method you might use to get a sunless tan, you still need to check your skin regularly for signs of sun damage or skin cancer. Talk with a doctor if you notice any new or changing spots on your skin.
- Written by
- References
The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team
Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as editors and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.
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Last Revised: September 1, 2026
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