A little history of Sunless Tanning
DHA, which is the main ingredient of tanners, was first recognised as a skin colouring agent by a German scientist in the 1920’s. Through it’s use in the x-ray process, it was noted as causing the skin surface to turn brown when spilled.
In the 1950’s, Eva Wittgenstein at the university of Cincinnati, did further research with DHA. Her studies involved using DHA as an oral drug for assisting children with Glycogen storage disease. The children received large doses of DHA by mouth and sometimes spat or spilled the substance onto their skin. Healthcare workers noticed that the skin turned brown after a few hours of DHA exposure.
Eva Wittgenstein continued to experiment with DHA, painting liquid solutions of it onto her own skin. She was able to consistently reproduce the pigmentation effect and noted that DHA did not penetrate beyond the stratum or dead skin surface layer. Research then continued on the colouring effect in relation for treatments for patients suffering from Vitiligo.
This skin browning effect is non toxic. DHA reacts chemically with the amino acids in the skin, which are part of the protein containing the Keratin layer on the skin surface. Various amino acids react differently to DHA, producing different tones of coloration, from yellow to brown.
For centuries, tanned skin was considered unattractive, especially among women. A tan was not golden or glowing, but brown and weathered, and was proof that someone laboured outdoors. Well bred ladies protected themselves with hats, parasols and long sleeves.
Coco Chanel is widely credited with changing that. So the story goes, in 1923 Chanel the French fashion designer accidentally got a lot of sun while sailing aboard a yacht to Cannes. When she returned, all golden brown, a fad was born, then the industry was born.
Movie stars, models, politicians, housewives and teenagers, everyone wanted to be bronze. The rich and famous travelled to sunny places in winter or used a sun lamp. Ordinary people had to ‘work’ on their tan, lying in the sun for hours and sunburn was common.
As time went on, dermatologists were concerned at the alarming rates of skin cancer. They warned that damage to the skin builds up over time, leading to wrinkles, dry skin and cancer. Tanning booths and beds became popular for those worried about the sun.
It wasn’t long however before doctors began to warn about the dangers of these sun beds and booths. They may be even more dangerous than exposing yourself to the sun.
Those who desire a tan, are lucky to have sunless tanning which has come a long way over the years. With lotions, mousses, oils and spray tanning available, there is so much choice to achieve that golden glow safely.
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