Airbrush tanning is also known as UV-free tanning.
It is the application of chemicals on the skin to imitate the effects of a suntan.
The trend of this sunless option has grown since the 1960s.
At that time, health officials began to link methods of tanning beds with skin cancer occurrences.
Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) Dihydroxyacetone is called DHA for short.
It is the active ingredient when getting an airbrush tan.
It is not a dye or paint, but a chemical reaction to amino acids on the dead layer of the skin's surface.
It gives a temporary tan look and fades gradually over a week's time.
DHA works similar to the Maillard reaction.
This process is well known to food chemists.
It is most comparable to the process of food browning during the storage or manufacturing of a product.
This chemical can achieve browning of the skin without the exposure of ultraviolet rays.
Products Found in various forms, these products include:

• Gels
• Lotions
• Mousses
• Sprays
• Wipes

Professional Applications One can find various locations to get this service done.
In many cases, professional applications are available at spas, gymnasiums, and tanning salons.
A hand-held technician or spray booth can apply the application process.
The booth option can resemble an enclosed shower.
The handheld technician would use a spray machine that is moved over the entire body in more detail.
Safety The U.
S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved DHA products to apply on the skin cosmetically.
However, it is not approved to areas of the lips, eyes, mucous membrane or internally.
The booth option for applications sometimes may be hard to avoid the unapproved areas.
Handheld applications are easier to avoid the chemical in areas that could be hazardous.
Before Applied Before going into a session, one should shower and exfoliate the skin.
Having clean skin will aid in an even treatment.
When exfoliating, this removes the top layer of dead skin cells.
By doing so, this allows the new fresh layer of skin to maintain the golden look for longer.
Process During the application, one can either go undressed, in a bathing suit or undergarments.
When either using a technician or booth, one would stand there or have the chemicals sprayed on the skin.
Once the body is completely covered, one would wait about five to ten minutes for the DHA to dry.
Then the applicant would put on their loose fitting clothes and wait about six hours before showering again.
After the session In order to maintain the golden glow, one should keep the skin moisturized.
It is recommended to lotion the skin twice a day.
When the skin is dry, it can become flakey.
This will cause the DHA to come off quicker than its potential.
Airbrush tanning is a healthier alternative to obtain a golden glow without the damaging rays of the sun.
This option will not protect the skin in the sun.
Therefore, always apply sunscreen when exposing the sun to UVA and UVB rays.