Self-tanning has been steadily growing in popularity as more and more research exposes the dangers of UV rays from indoor and outdoor tanning. Tanning has been a popular beauty trend for several decades, and many are turning to self-tanners as a safer alternative. One of the most common self-tanning ingredients is dihydroxyacetone, which you may know as DHA. DHA is primarily derived from sugar beets and sugar cane. A simple carbohydrate, DHA, is currently the only substance that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved to tan the skin and is the most commonly used ingredient in self-tanners. When used correctly, DHA is a non-toxic way to create a temporary browning effect on your skin. The substance achieves this by reacting with amino acids in the protein keratin of your skin to produce a sun-kissed look.

How Did DHA Become a Sunless Tanning Agent?
Scientists discovered that dihydroxyacetone could tan the skin entirely by accident. It all began in the 1920s when German scientists used DHA as part of the X-ray process. When someone accidentally spilled the substance onto a person's skin, the scientists noticed that the affected area would temporarily turn brown after a few hours of exposure. An article published by the U.S. National Institutes of Health adds that in the 1950s, a researcher at the University of Cincinnati made a similar discovery. Eva Wittgenstein conducted studies where DHA was used as an oral treatment for glycogen storage disease. When ingesting large doses, the children sometimes spilled the substance onto their skin. Doing so caused the skin to turn brown within a few hours.

Is It Safe To Use DHA for Tanning?
For achieving a natural-looking glow, applying dihydroxyacetone via sunless tanner is your safest option. Various studies have confirmed that this is a much safer alternative to indoor and outdoor tanning, which puts people at risk for developing the deadliest type of skin cancer, melanoma. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, people increase their risk of developing melanoma by at least 59% when they begin to use tanning beds before 35 years old. However, It has been decades now since agencies all around the world approved DHA for self-tanning use. It is, however, important not to inhale DHA or apply it to any areas with mucous membranes, such as around the eyes, near the lips, or under the nose. When using sunless tanning products, skincare experts advise consumers to avoid excess sun exposure and regularly apply sunscreen. Just because you look tan, self-tanners do not provide sufficient protection from the sun’s harmful rays. When you spend time outdoors, make sure to wear sunscreen that's at least SPF 30 to protect your skin from the sun.