CHAPTER 2
TYPES OF TANNING
EDUCATION ON THE TYPES OF DIFFERENT
TANNING PROCESSES
UV TANNING
One popular form of tanning is the use of the Ultra Violet (UV) method. This involves exposing the
body to direct sunlight or in a conned environment utilizing UV emitting light bulbs, commonly
referred to as solariums or sun beds. UV tanning relies on the formation of melanin in the lower
skin layers, which in response to the UV exposure, turn brown. It is this melanin that protects the
skin from damage by the sun by absorbing and scattering light. This method will turn the skin
brown but can also lead to acute and even chronic skin damage and may greatly increase the risk
of skin cancer.
SPRAY TANNING
An alternative method is the application of cosmetics which cause the skin to turn brown.
DIHYDROXYACETONE : THE AMAZING DISCOVERY
Dihydroxyacetone is commonly abbreviated ‘DHA’. This unique ingredient was discovered over 50
years ago and has been gradually improved to offer excellent tanning results that rival or exceed
that from UV sources. DHA was originally used in oral medications to assist in the treatment of
some childhood diseases ( specically glycogen storage disease ) but its tanning effects were
accidentally stumbled upon when, by chance, it was spilled onto the skin.
DHA works by being applied to the skin. The DHA then reacts with the skin proteins found in the
top most layers of the skin. The brown hue can appear in as little as 2 hours, but for best results
5-7 hours will be required for the full tanning effect to take place. The extraordinary benet of
DHA tanning is that it can not be washed off, but fades as the upper layers of the epidermis are
naturally exfoliated.
BRONZERS & HOW THEY WORK
As mentioned DHA takes 5-7 hours to fully develop. Because of this there is a real need to use a
temporary cosmetic colour. These cosmetic colours are often referred to as Bronzers. Bronzers
achieve two things:
1. A visible guide to ensure proper coverage during spraying
2. To have the client leave the salon with a tan immediately after spraying
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BRONZERS & DHA
As explained previously, DHA causes a tan to develop during a protein reaction with the skin.
However, bronzers are cosmetic colours that provide an instant colour on top of the skin. They are
reasonably easy to remove in the rst shower. The aim is to ensure there is little colour difference
between the DHA tan and the bronzers.
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