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Spray tan vs sunbeds — what dermatologists say

Look tanned without a single second under a UV lamp.

6 min readwritten for women

It's June, so the question comes round again: "Should I book a sunbed session before my holiday?" Tanned skin reads as healthy, vital, holiday-ready. But the science on this is very clear — and the alternative is simpler than you'd think.

Sunbeds — a brief history of a beautiful lie

For decades, the sunbed industry sold a story about "safe tanning" and "controlled UV doses". That story is dead — killed off by a wave of epidemiological research. Since 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization, has classified UV radiation from sunbeds as a Group 1 carcinogen — the same category as asbestos, plutonium and cigarettes. Not "probably carcinogenic". Carcinogenic. Full stop.

  • A single sunbed session before the age of 35 raises melanoma risk by 75% (Boniol et al., BMJ, 2012, a meta-analysis of 27 studies).
  • Sunbeds emit mainly UVA — radiation that penetrates deep into the dermis, breaking down collagen and elastin.
  • UVA intensity in a sunbed can be many times higher than natural midday sunlight.
  • Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are directly linked to cumulative UV exposure — including exposure from sunbeds.
  • In Australia, Brazil and many European countries, sunbeds are banned for under-18s. Australia has banned commercial sunbeds altogether.

"But I need vitamin D!"

This is the most common argument in favour of sunbeds — and the easiest to dismantle. Vitamin D is synthesised in the skin under UVB exposure. The problem is that modern sunbeds emit mainly UVA (because that's what gives a tan without burning), so their contribution to vitamin D synthesis is negligible.

DHA — the substance that changes the rules

DHA (dihydroxyacetone) is a simple sugar that forms the base of every self-tanner and spray tan. Discovered by accident in the 1950s in Cincinnati, it works through the Maillard reaction — the same one that browns bread in the oven. DHA reacts with amino acids and keratin in dead epidermal cells, forming brown pigments called melanoidins.

  • It requires no UV radiation at all — none, zero, nothing.
  • It only takes place in the stratum corneum — the outermost, dead layer of the epidermis.
  • It's fully reversible — the colour fades within a few days to around two weeks as the skin naturally exfoliates.
  • It doesn't affect melanocytes — the cells that produce real melanin stay untouched.

Salon spray tan vs drugstore self-tanner — a world apart

Not all DHA applications are equal. The difference between a drugstore self-tanner and a professional spray tan at a salon is like the difference between spray paint and a car respray done by a professional.

Myths worth debunking

Worth remembering, too: a tan — whether from the sun or a sunbed — is a defensive response to DNA damage. Melanocytes produce melanin to protect the cell nucleus from further radiation. It's not decoration. It's an alarm signal.

Skin after years of sunbed use — what dermatologists see

The long-term effects of regular sunbed use have clinical names, and they're not pretty. In people with a long history of sunbed use, dermatologists commonly observe:

  • Solar elastosis — skin becomes thick, yellowish, "leathery". Elastin breaks down. Irreversible.
  • Solar lentigines — dark, flat patches (commonly called "liver spots"), caused by localised melanin overproduction. Hard to remove, prone to recurrence.
  • Poikiloderma — mottled discolouration with broken capillaries, typically seen on the neck and décolletage.
  • Actinic keratosis — rough, scaly patches on UV-exposed skin. A precancerous condition.

How to prepare for a spray tan — practical tips

A few rules will help you get the best, longest-lasting result:

  • 24 hours before: exfoliate with an oil-free physical scrub (oils block DHA absorption). Pay particular attention to knees, elbows and ankles — areas with a thicker stratum corneum.
  • On the day: don't apply creams, lotions, deodorant or perfume. Arrive with clean, dry skin.
  • Clothing: dark, loose clothing. Take your first shower after 8–12 hours (following your technician's instructions).
  • Aftercare: moisturise daily — well-hydrated skin exfoliates evenly, so the tan fades without patches. Avoid chlorine, saunas and harsh scrubs.
  • Results last: the effect typically lasts a few days to around two weeks. Want to keep the colour going longer? Plan a top-up every 7–10 days.

At J'ADORE, you tan safely

At J'ADORE INSTYTUT, we choose safe alternatives to sunbeds. Our spray tanning is performed with professional systems, using solutions matched to your skin phototype and goals. Results are visible within a few hours — a natural, even tan without a single minute under UV.