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Sunless
Tanning
Sunless tanning products contain a chemical called dihydroxyacetone, a
colorless sugar that interacts with surface cells, to produce melanoidins,
which turns the skin brown. The effect is temporary, because as these
cells naturally slough off, the color fades, disappearing within a week
unless the lotion has been reapplied.
Sunless tanning is a lot safer than tanning beds or laying out in the
sun. This is because sunlight or tanning beds can damage the DNA in skin
cells deep under the skin surface. While suntans can fade after a few
days, the harm done to the skin may be permanent. In contrast, self-tanners
do not cause any known DNA damage. At worst, sunless tanning products
present a minimal risk of irritant or allergic reactions.
The tan generated by sunless tanning products at most provides a SPF of
3-4 and should not be considered a protective layer against further UV
induced skin damage. Only sunblock, sunavoidance and sunprotective clothing
are considered effective means of protection against UV radiation.
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