The True Cost of Tanning

The Sun

Free, but dangerous

Time-intensive

Inconsistent results

Long-term skin damage

Spray Tanning

Fast, but expensive ($40–$75 per session)

Weekly or bi-weekly appointments

Limited control

Short lifespan

Self-Tanning

One bottle = multiple uses

Full control with buildable results

No UV damage

Skin friendly ingredients

I was having lunch with friends at l'Isola in St. Barts. To my right was a friend from college who lived in the dorm room across from mine. He said he was envious of me spending so much time on my boat, only for the fact that I had developed the perfect tan. I confided that my bronze wasn't due to the sun, but rather a self-tanner. "That's cheating," he retorted.
"It's not cheating; it's being wise," I said.
We got into a deeper conversation about the real costs of tanning via the sun or even spray tans.
Not to worry, I took short notes to share with you below.

Spray tans: ~$50/week = ~$2,600/year

Sun tanning = premature aging + skin damage

Self tan = ~$8/month + no UV

Conclusion