Are self tanning lotions harmful? do they have dangerous chemicals in them? is it safe to use?

Very safe.: Self tanning lotions are very safe. They are simply staining the top-most layers of skin a brown color. I recommend my patients use self-tanners over using tanning beds or external tanning to get color. If your skin is getting darker from sun exposure, it is a pathogenic response to sun, and means your skin cells are trying to protect their dna by producing melanin. This is never good.