Why Sunless Tanning is Safe and Effective

How did the technology of sunless tanning come about? Well, it all started with the popularity of the indoor tanning and its recognition as an industry. Yes, the desire of Caucasians to look tan has engendered the creation of a multibillion dollar industry that provides work to an estimated 160,000 individuals nationwide. So why do whites want to have a tanned complexion? The answer is quite simple. Because a tanned skin hides blemishes, Americans feel more beautiful and younger. Also, being tan lets the person exude athleticism as it paints a picture of how that person got his/her tan—probably playing various sports and activities under the sun.

And so, with the emergence of the indoor tanning industry, the people's desire for that easy tan away from the sun has both been fed and encouraged. But if indoor tanning was such a hit, why develop sunless tanning? Aside from it being more convenient, easy to apply and economical, self tanning lotions, creams and sprays have been perfected to give tanners that even and glowing tan without the harmful side effects of UV ray exposure. Because it was found that indoor tanning beds and lamps are actually carcinogens, meaning they open the users to the risk of developing skin cancer, a more safe way of tanning needs to be invented.

Because sunless tanning technology does not involve exposure to harmful UV rays, the popularity of its use among regular tanners continues to rise. With more and more people being conscious of the damage UV rays can give to the skin, sunless tanning has become a growing sector of the indoor tanning industry. What's more, it is expected to further expand as the technology is continuously being innovated to even include the anti-aging component. So, how does it really work?

Sunless tanning lotions and creams use a type of colorless sugar as its active ingredient. Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as safe for topical application. When applied to the skin, DHA causes a reaction that results in the darkening of the dead skin cells located at the stratum corneum of the epidermis, which is the outermost layer of the skin. It acts in the same way as a natural tan that lasts for only about a week or so. As the skin replaces dead skin cells by healthy new ones, the tan also wears away, revealing your natural skin color. In this sense, sunless tanning has provided tanners a way to sport that baked look without having to take the time out to go to the beach and without risking skin cancer.

So, don't worry, sunless tanning is perfectly safe for your skin as it does not contain chemicals that can cause irritation and premature aging. For those of you who want to regularly enjoy that sun kissed glow, self tanning, through the application of sunless tanning products, is definitely the way to go.