Sunless Tanning

Sunless retail products have come a long way since they appeared commercially in the 1960s, and even since they became popular in tanning salons a few years ago.

As with sunless spray solution, the quality of sunless retail products has improved dramatically. Also, the segment has expanded beyond lotions to include foams, pump sprays and aerosols—plus specialty products for legs and face, etc.

New ingredient and formulation technology has allowed manufacturers to reduce or eliminate staining and streaking, enliven the sunless tan’s color and extend the life of the tan.

The maturation of the sunless industry has paved the way for a variety of pre-tan and post-tan products, in addition to traditional exfoliators and moisturizers. And while they were introduced several years ago, single-use packages of sunless-related products have been on the rise.

Towelettes loaded with sunless ingredients provide a convenient, relatively mess-free way to apply sunless solution. Many single-use products are large enough for one full-body application.

Also, cleansing towelettes can be used to wipe impurities from skin to ensure spray solution has an even canvas on which to impart a golden, sunless glow.

In the case that a sunless product is applied where it’s not wanted, several vendors provide correctors that remove stains.

Since it is relatively new, sunless remains largely unregulated. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration currently has no regulations concerning DHA or sunless products, but that is not to say there may be changes on the horizon.

The best the tanning industry can do is keep a watchful eye on local and national legislation—and, in the meantime, take a proactive approach and become as educated as possible about the sunless-tanning process.

In July 2003, the FDA released information on DHA. Its use in cosmetics—including sunless tanning products—is restricted to external application. According to the Code of Federal Regulations, "externally applied" cosmetics are those "applied only to external parts of the body and not to the lips or any body surface covered by mucous membrane."

Salon staff should take extra care in informing clients to avoid breathing the sunless product during the application process. Consumers also should be told to try to avoid direct application of the product into the eye area, and use a lip balm or other barrier product on the lips and in the nostrils to avoid contact with mucous membrane. There should be proper ventilation for staff and clients in the sunless application area of the salon.