There's plenty you need to know when getting a spray tan, but one of the things the FDA says is that you need to keep your lips, nose, and eyes covered. That's because the agency isn't sure if inhaling DHA carries any risks, and spray tanners seem relaxed about taking those precautions. "DHA is really a sugar and so it has been evaluated by the FDA in an external application, unfortunately we don't have any studies with internal applications," dermatologist Chad Prather told NBC12. Not only does the FDA avoid endorsing spray tanning, NBC12 also says regulators didn't approve DHA's use or examine its side effects either. HuffPost says lab studies are showing that elevated levels of DHA can trigger free radical formation (of which "high levels have been linked to cell damage and cancer"), and NBC12 also says some studies are showing that inhaling DHA can lead to cancer.

So if you want to go to a tanning salon to enjoy a spray, you may want to consider plugging your nose, covering your mouth with some kind of mask that won't leave a mark, and keeping your eyes closed tight. Or better yet, walk past the tanning salon and head straight for the drugstore, where a bottle of tanning lotion might be had — because, at least for now, it's still considered a safer alternative.