SAN DIEGO -- Everyone has been told all about the dangers of too much sun, but there is a new potential danger for tan lovers in the privacy of a booth.

It's every tan fan's dream -- a perfect bronze in 45 seconds without all those harmful UV rays.

It's called the mystic or magic tan, literally tanning with a fine chemical mist.

"I just thought it would be convenient. I didn't have any health concerns," said mystic tanner Megan Goodman.

Like many sunless tanners, Goodman assumed she was safe.

She didn't know the FDA issued a warning about the ingredient in these spray on tans -- a chemical called DHA.

"As a topical substance it's approved. For use in aerosol, it has not been," said Dr. Linda Katz, with the FDA.

That's because of chemicals, like lead and arsenic, allowed as contaminants in DHA.

Toxicologist Thomas Pierce says the spray should come with a warning.

"It's conceivable you could be required to wear a respirator during the time in there," said Pierce.

The FDA warns sprayed DHA is illegal and could be hazardous unless the eyes are covered, the nose is plugged and the lips are protected.

Goodman says she never got that warning and paid the price.

"I had a bad cough and (it) sounded like bronchitis," said Goodman.

10News surveyed 13 tanning salons in the San Diego area, and didn't get any warnings either.

A 10News researcher said an employee at Bee Tan in the Clairemont area said it's totally safe and there's nothing to worry about.

And if tanners want eyewear or nasal blocking, they have to pay extra.

I Tan near Mission Bay also denies any potential hazard.

The 10News researcher said employees there said it was mainly a moisturizer, so it wouldn't affect customers.

California Tan in Kearny Mesa also claims it's Mystic Tan is completely safe -- though the 10News researcher finds it's not entirely pleasant.

"I had brown stuff coming out of my nose. It tastes really sour. It's difficult to breath open mouth -- it goes into my mouth," said Cindi Jodlowski.

What do these tanning salons say?

California Tan isn't talking, neither is I Tan or Bee Tan in Clairemont.

So what's the tan loving consumer to do?

"If you absolutely must have a tan, fake it don't bake it. Get (a) tan from a can," said dermatologist Dr. Susan Boiko.

The maker of Mystic Tan says they have a perfect track record -- 2 million tans and no complaints.

Still, the FDA warns there could be risks.

Following 10News' story about the stores offering mystic tans, Mystic Tan had these additional comments:

They say they have 15 million satisfied clients. They also say the FDA did not originally test the application of DHA to the mucous membranes of the body, so those areas were not covered under the original FDA approval of DHA. This doesn't make the product illegal.

"I want to be clear: Mystic Tan has absolutely done its due diligence in terms of complying with the full measure of the law and has worked with the FDA to ensure that Mystic Tan customers are protected.

10News mentioned that lead and arsenic are 'allowed as contaminants' in the story. There is no lead or arsenic in Mystic Tan Tanning Myst. As you are probably aware, the FDA allows certain amounts of many different contaminates in everything from potato chips to makeup. Consumers would certainly balk at what the FDA says is acceptable in our food supply. However, we must remember that 'allowable' does not mean 'contains.' Just because the FDA allows DHA to contain minute amounts of lead and arsenic, it is not found in Mystic Tan Tanning Myst.

Finally, some salons that own Mystic Tan booths are not using Mystic Tan Tanning Myst in the booth, but rather, other generic solutions or even homemade solutions. They are deceiving the public by advertising Mystic Tan when indeed they are offering something all together different. Mystic Tan has put the safety of the consumer above all else in developing its Tanning Myst and the public should be aware that they might not be getting what they're buying. To help solve this issue, Mystic Tan has placed only 'Certified Authentic Mystic Tan Providers' on the Web site at www.MysticTan.com and beginning next week, consumers can also look for the 'Authentic Mystic Tan Partner' logo on the booth and in the store window. Should you need additional information about this issue, please feel free to contact me," said Lynaia D. Lutes, with Mystic Tan.