Tan history
Most fake tanning products contain Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) which react with the amino acids on the top layer of skin without having to use UV lighting, so it doesn't cause harm or cancer risk. Some fake tans use erythrulose which develops more slowly than DHA but still has the desired effect.
Fake tanning took off in the 1960's but had dramatically increased in popularity since then following the publicised health issues caused by sun tans and ultra violet lighting in the 1980's.
Rumour has it that the use of DHA for tanning was an accidental discovery when a nurse treating a diabetic patient with DHA accidentally spilt it on to his chest and noticed the following day that he had a brown staining on his chest, and fake tan was born.
In more recent times, fake tan has gotten more natural looking and lasts a lot longer which is better for those of you wanting a natural glow. That orange shade circa 2001 seems to have toned down and fake tan companies are manufacturing products to suit the current market demand.
It isn't just the past 10 years or so that have seen celebrities become a fan of a bottle of tan. Elizabeth Taylor gained a glow in the 1970's and more recently Katie Price took it to the extreme in the early noughties with her mahogany coloured skin.
So fake tanning has been on the up and up for some time now and it appears to be here to stay. So tan away!
