Forget bottles and beds — students seeking to look like they’ve sunbathed on the beach all day have a new alternative.

Spray-on tans offer a UV ray-free alternative to tanning in the sun or in a tanning bed.

Sizzlin’ Cabana, 2540 Lincoln Way, offers airbrush tanning. Spray tan technicians use an airbrush gun to spray the bronzing solution onto the body. The process takes twenty minutes, and a tan appears within six to eight hours of application.

“Ninety-eight percent of customers have been happy with their tan, and fifty percent have returned for a second time,” said Leah McGinn, manager of Sizzlin’ Cabana. “It is a good way to achieve a quick tan for special occasions.”

McGinn said many of her airbrush tanning customers are people who have a history of skin cancer in their family, are pregnant or want to achieve a tan fast.

“Airbrush tanning reaches every inch of the body, where tanning booths don’t,” she said.

Different tints are available to match the color the customer wants to achieve, or to match skin tone.

“People are sometimes afraid to try the airbrush tanning, because they fear turning orange as they would with self-tanning lotions,” McGinn said. “However, no one has ever come out looking orange.”

Sizzlin’ Cabana offers the first session of spray-tanning for $16. Single sessions following are $30 or three for $75.

Visual Impact Hair and Tanning in Des Moines provides airbrush tanning, as well as “mystic tanning.”

During a mystic tanning session, the customer stands in a booth that sprays tanning solution onto the body. This type of tan lasts five to seven days.

“I like them both, but prefer the airbrush tanning because there is more control over where the solution is being sprayed,” said Sabina Ramic, Visual Impact employee. With airbrush tanning, the customer can also request to have certain parts of the body darker.

The airbrush tan at Visual Impact is $35 for a single session. Tans are sold in packages of three sessions for $96 or five for $145. A single session of mystic tanning is $25, three sessions for $65 and five for $95.

Stephanie Kessler, junior in child, adult and family services, said she has never used a self-tanner, but said she would consider the airbrush tan for a special occasion.

“I tanned in high school for prom, but it faded fast,” Kessler said. “I do, however, prefer the natural look, which for me is pale.”

Sue Schooler, physician’s assistant at the Skin Rejuvenation Center in Des Moines, said she recommends spray tans over regular UV tanning, even though they are more expensive.

“We are beginning to see skin cancer more and more at a younger age,” Schooler said.

Schooler said UVA rays can cause wrinkles, while UVB rays have been linked to skin cancer. Schooler said younger people tend to think they are invincible and believe they won’t get skin cancer.

She said high school and college students tend to be “sun worshippers.”

“Most skin cancer that occurs comes from skin exposure prior to age 21,” she said.

Those with a family history of skin cancer, those who have fair complexions, have blonde hair, blue eyes and/or freckles are at greater risk for developing skin cancer, she said.

Schooler said she continues to educate patients about the risks of skin cancer by showing them the sun damage to her own arms and legs, and by explaining sun exposure causes lines and wrinkles.

Some students refuse to stop, despite the risks.

“[Tanning] is almost like an addiction — it is hard to give up,” Schooler said.