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What Is Dihydroxyacetone?

Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 12:09 pm
by eva34
Hi

Dihydroxyacetone, also known as DHA or glycerone, is a common active ingredient in tanning lotions or sprays designed for sunless use. A simple carbohydrate, dihydroxyacetone is crated from sugar beets or sugar cane and the glycerin fermentation process. It can also be used in wine making.

Though colorless, DHA stains the skin on contact. It does so by reacting with dead skin cells in the epidermis. This creates the brown color associated with a dihydroxyacetone tanning agent. Since the dead skin cells fall off the body within a week, the color, too, fades as quickly. This is why people who utilize sunless tanners must apply the products so often.

thanks