DHA – Dihydroxyacetone – What is it?
You may have heard of “DHA” or maybe you’ve seen it on the ingredients of cosmetic products. Why is it used in tanning lotions?
What is DHA?
DHA stands for Dihydroxyacetone.
It is a simple carbohydrate and is often derived from plant sources
such as sugar beets and sugar cane, and is produced by the fermentation
of glycerin. It is used in many of Magical Sun’s bronzer products (And
countless other well known brands). It reacts with the air and the amino
acids on the skin, causing the cells on the top layer of the skin (the
epidermis) to darken. This process is fairly similar to the way an apple
starts to turn brown when its natural sugars are exposed to the air.
This skin browning effect is non-toxic, and is merely the result of a
“Maillard Reaction”. This is a reaction between amino acids and
“Reducing sugars”. DHA chemically reacts with the amino acids in the
protein keratin (The major component of the skin surface) Different
amino acids react to DHA in various ways, producing different tones of
colouration from yellow to brown. The resulting pigments are called
“melanoidins”. These are similar in colour to melanin, the natural
substance in the deeper skin layers which tan from UV exposure.
Generally
the effect of DHA on the skin lasts from anywhere between 3-10 days,
and takes roughly 2 hours to appear. Of course, when used in conjunction
with a sunbed (using lotions containing DHA) your tan may be gained
faster as you are also absorbing UV.
Summary
To summarise, DHA is a safe ingredient commonly used in tanning lotions. It uses a natural chemical reaction to temporarily darken your skin, giving a tanned effect. It is entirely different to spray tans, and is used throughout the industry by every sun tan lotion manufacturer. For those who are concerned about UV over exposure, products containing DHA are a good option. The effect of DHA isn’t instantaneous. It will take around 2-4 hours for the browning effect to begin, and it may continue darkening for as much as 72 hours. Because it’s the dead cells on the skin’s surface that it affects, the tan it induces lasts for up to ten days, fading as these dead skin cells are shed, so reapplication is necessary to maintain the effect.
