It the late 1920's it was discoverd that when Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) was spilt on the skin it produced a brown colour.

DHA derives from sugar cane and has been listed with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since 1973, and used in cosmetic preparations for almost 30 years.

DHA is not absorbed through the skin into the body and it has no known toxicity.

The skin is made up of two main layers: the epidermis and dermis. The epidermis is also made up of layers. The outermost layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum

(horny layer), is where self tanning occurs. DHA reacts with amino acids on the skin and oxygen in the air causing skin to turn brown, giving the appearance of a tan.

Every day millions of dead skin cells are worn away from the surface of the skin.

That is why the colour change produced by DHA creating the tan effect will gradually fade.

A sunless tan will usually last 7-10 days depending on how well you have prepared your skin for your tan and how well you look after it. To see how best to prepare for your tan click on the 'Pre tan' tab.