What is DHA?

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The active ingredient most often used in all sunless tanners including tinted moisturizers, self-tanners, and spray tan solution is called DHA or dihydroxyacetone. DHA is a simple carbohydrate (monosaccharide sugar)  compound approved by the FDA for use in externally applied sunless tanning solutions. It is typically derived from sugar beets and sugar cane. This skin browning effect is non-toxic, and similar to the Maillard reaction. DHA reacts with the amino acids in the skin, which are part of the protein containing keratin layer on the skin surface. Various amino acids react differently to DHA, producing different tones of coloration from yellow to brown. The resulting pigments are called melanoidans. These are similar in coloration to melanin, the natural substance in the deeper skin layers which brown or "tan", from the exposure to UV rays. 

 

What are self- tanners?

 

All self- tanning formulas use an ingredient called dihydroxyacetone, or as most will refer to  as DHA. This ingredient will create an appearance by developing a beautiful brown color on the first layer of your skin, as an end result; will be similar to a real tan achieved by increasing skin melanin levels through exposure to th e

Sun/UV.

DHA is limited to the upper top layer of the skin and is a reaction between DHA, skin protein and oxygen, which will produce brown compounds. In most cases your development of color will take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours and will continue to darken through a 24 hour period to your final result. Your DHA color will last between 5 to 8 days and begin to fade as your top layer of skin naturally sheds. The length of your DHA Tan will depend on the personal care of the skin and how well you moisturize to prevent excessive natural exfoliation.

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How long should I wait before showering?

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To give the DHA enough time to fully set, we recommend waiting a minimum of 4 hours after a Sunless Spray Tanning session or 8 hours for optimal results. Showering sooner may diminish the intensity of the tan. If at all possible, we recommend waiting 10 hours or longer to achieve your best color. Tanning before noon and showering before bed is the most common practice. Some people will tan before bed; however, this can leave your bed sheets with a dirty color in the morning from the bronzer in the solution. The bronzer will wash out.

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Will swimming affect my tan?

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Swimming in chlorinated water or salt water can fade the Sunless Spray Tanning results, cause possible streaking and will diminish the length of your tan. However, normal activities such as bathing, showering or physical activities will not affect the quality of the tan.

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Will my skin look orange?

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Not at all. Before sunless spray tanning, most self-tanners were creams and lotions applied by hand. That meant inconsistent coverage. Too much lotion applied in one place left the skin looking orange. Not enough lotion left unattractive streaks. Hand-held spray-on applicators tend to run and also cause streaking. 

Our Spray Tan technology ensures that a uniform micro-spray of Airbrush covers the entire body in the

exact amount required to produce a natural-looking tan.

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Does Sunless Spray Tanning Solution have any smell after contact with my skin?

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Some people notice a slight starchy smell on their skin a few hours after a tanning session. This is simply the DHA reacting to proteins in your skin and it fades away fairly quickly.

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Will the bronzing formula stain my hair or clothing?

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If you are using spray solution with cosmetic bronzer, you might experience that some of the bronze color will rub off on the clothing or bed sheets. To minimize the chance of the bronzer transferring to your clothing, we recommend that you always wear long, loose- fitting dark top and pants. Refraining from physical exertion until after waiting 6- 8 hours to shower will help minimize your transferring any bronzer to your clothes through sweating. Our tanning solution is water- soluble and will, in most cases wash out of your clothes or sheets once washed.

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Is the DHA in Sunless Spray Tanning solution safe to use?

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The FDA has approved DHA for external application to your skin. For misting applications, the FDA recommends protective measures to prevent eye contact, inhalation or ingestion. To make sure you are completely protected, the FDA suggests wearing protective eyewear, nose filters, lip balm, and  protective undergarments.

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Has anyone ever had an allergic reaction to Sunless Spray Tanning solution?

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Yes. If you’ve had previous allergic reactions to self-tanning lotions or cosmetics, you should consult a health care professional before using spray tanning.

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What happens if the Sunless Spray Tanning solution gets in my eyes?

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FDA recommends that DHA not be used in the eyes or surrounding area. That is why we recommend using protective eyewear which can be supplied by your salon. If you choose not to wear protective eyewear and your eyes feel irritated, gently splash with water. If you have additional questions, consult your health care provider.

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