How much is a spray tan?

Although getting a spray tan is getting more and more popular and therefore more and more affordable, some people still consider it to be the most expensive method of tanning. But is this a right perception?

Lets compare the four tanning methods:

• Sun tanning - is considered to be free, but it doesn't come without a cost. Excessive suntanning falls into the same category as excessive overeating. It will eventually catch up with you and when it does, results can be disastrous, if not deadly. However not everybody gets cancer, so a lot of people ignore the danger. Of course, there is another consequence that is 100% sure if you DO sun tan excessively. That is skin damage. The more you tan, the more you will suffer with hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, saggy skin and rosacea. It is not a theory, it is a fact. So, even thought in your 20s and early 30s you might enjoy "free" suntanning, from mid 30s onwards you will be spending an absolute fortune on reversing the damage. No, suntanning is definitely not "free".
• Solarium tanning - same as above, but this time you actually pay to get hurt. If you use sun beds regularly, you might as well take up smoking and do a proper job of ruining your health and looks, inside and out. Sun beds will speed up the aging process as the energy they use penetrates about 4X deeper than during sun tanning. So, instead of starting to spend a fortune on reversing sun damage in your mid 30s, you can start on the task in your late 20s.
• Fake self tanning. A little bit of practice and experimentation will give you a great tan whenever you want it for a very cheap price. There are solutions to match any type of complexion and any level of expertise. It might not be free, but you can have your tan and keep a young skin.
• Spray tanning. It is fake tanning for the lazy. Not only do you get brown in few minutes doing absolutely nothing, but the tan is usually so flawless it looks like your natural skin color (unless you overdo it and turn orange). It will cost you anywhere between $25 and $50 per session, but you will save yourself the cost of a small car in damage repair. Although spray tanning can carry some dangers, you can pretty much avoid them by choosing the right type of solution. 

I am one of those people that had sun tanned intensively for many years. These days I am paying heavily for those years in the sun. My wallet, my self esteem, my enjoyment of life and other people's impressions of me have suffered because my skin has aged beyond my years.

I just wish spray tanning was available when I was young, maybe I could have my cake and eat it too.