What Is Spray Tanning?

You’ve heard of getting spray tans for weddings, proms, and the red carpet. But what is a Spray Tan?

DHA is the abbreviation for Dihydroxyacetone. This was discovered in the 1920s as an agent that would cause a temporary browning of the skin. DHA is derived from sugar beets and sugar cane.

How does it work? DHA creates a chemical reaction with the amino acids in the top layer of the skin. This reaction is called the Maillard reaction. This activates what resembles the natural melanin in the skin. Making you look tan!

Many products contain dyes that give you immediate tan lines directly after being sprayed. What you are seeing are called bronzers. Some stain the skin for a few days, but a majority of them will simply wash off in the shower.

DHA is completely clear when mixed with water, so, therefore, any tanning solution that is not clear contains bronzers.

So next time you see a post on Instagram of a before and after of a tan line immediately after application, know that this is just bronzer and dyes. The real DHA tan is developing underneath and takes hours to develop.