Skin colour, which is dependent on the type and amount of Melanin present along with the number of active Melanocytes, is an important attribute of beauty. Asian cultures associate lighter and more even complexions with higher social status, compared to Western cultures for whom a tanned complexion is associated with a healthy glow.
Sadly there is no such thing as tanning safely in the sun. With growing consumer awareness of the damaging effects of the sun, the sunless tanning market is booming. The most popular method is by applying products containing DHA topically. The skin initiates a non-enzymatic Maillard (browning) reaction between the DHA and the commonly found Amino acids in the skin, namely Lysine, Glycine and Histadine. A brown complex known as Melanoidins is then formed.
Spray tanning and home self-tanning creams and lotions remain the most popular. There is also a growing market for tanning pills or the injectable peptide Melanotan, but these methods are not recommended and will not be covered in this document.
We can separate this market category into three sections; exfoliation to prepare the skin,
tanning and finally moisturisation to preserve the tan for as long as possible.