Most tanning solutions have DHA in them. The DHA slowly reacts with amino groups in the proteins of the top layers of the skin to create a brownish color. The reaction varies, but typically people tend to notice a color change anywhere from 4 to 16 hours after the DHA has been applied.
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Comments (4)
Aimee
said:
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... I am a "mature" professional woman, who still likes to look young and heathy. Obviously, I do not go sunbathe anymore, but would sunless tanning be safe for me? With spring coming, I feel like some color would do me a world of good! Aimee |
Alison Bunch
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DHA and is it healthy. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is a colorless chemical that is derived from glycerin that interacts with the amino acids in dead skin cells to produce a brown color change. Since these dead skin cells are constantly being shed, the color change produced by DHA usually lasts about five to seven days. DHA is not absorbed through the skin into the body and it has no known toxicity. DHA was first discovered by the Germans in the late 1920's when DHA spilled on the skin produced a brown color. DHA has been listed with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since 1973, and has been used in cosmetic preparations for almost 30 years. Is it safe to be sprayed with a product containing DHA? There is no evidence to suggest that DHA is not safe. The Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FD&C) authorizes the regulation of color additives, including their uses and restrictions. DHA is listed in these regulations as a color additive for use in imparting color to the human body. Are there any restrictions about the use of DHA? Yes, the use of DHA in cosmetics, including sunless "tanning" products, is restricted to EXTERNAL application only. According to the Code of Federal Regulations, "externally applied" cosmetics are those "applied only to external parts of the body and not to the lips or any body surface covered by mucous membrane. In addition, no color additive may be used in cosmetics intended for use in the area of the eye unless the color additive is permitted specifically for such use. Remember, too, that a sunless "tan" is not really a suntan and affords no protection whatsoever against the skin damage the sun may cause. |
Jason
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What Are DHAs and Are They Healthy? Ali- I used to lie in the sun, but concerns over my health have led me to consider options like Tan Envy. What are DHAs and are there any health risks I should consider? |
Lexi
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... In the past I have used "tan towels" and other over-the-counter sunless tanning products. These products always gave me a decent color, but I had no idea the higher DHA content would make such a difference!! As someone who loves sunless tanning, I cannot say enough good things about my Tan Envy color. I am a convert!!  |
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