Tanning refers to the skin's darkening response, typically from UV exposure or self-tanning agents like DHA (dihydroxyacetone), which react with the skin's outermost layer to produce a temporary brown color. UV-induced tanning is a protective melanin response, while sunless tanners stain the stratum corneum without melanin involvement.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Skin dryness or uneven color | Common | Often seen with self-tanners (DHA) due to surface staining and dry patches. |
| Contact irritation or dermatitis | Uncommon | Some users react to DHA or fragrance/additives in tanning products. |
| UV-induced photoaging and DNA damage | Common | From UV tanning; cumulative exposure increases wrinkling and pigmentation changes. |
| Increased skin cancer risk | Uncommon | Associated with repeated UV/sunbed tanning over time. |
| Allergic contact reaction to DHA | Rare | Rare hypersensitivity reported with sunless tanning agents. |
| Respiratory irritation from spray tans | Rare | Inhalation of aerosolized DHA during spray application may cause throat or airway irritation. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
Peer-reviewed papers on this ingredient, via PubMed.