Bronzed bodies haven't always been the societal ideal--in the Victorian era, pale skin identified you as a member of the leisure class. The first half of the 20th century changed all that, with a new emphasis on outdoor life, sports, health and a golden sun-kissed glow, often achieved with the help of suntan lotion.
Identification
Suntan lotion is specifically formulated to help you achieve a darker tan than you would by tanning without it. Manufacturers usually offer varieties for indoor and outdoor tanning. Popular brands include Coppertone, Hawaiian Tropic, Maui Babe, Banana Boat and California Tan. According to manufacturer Maui Babe, suntan lotion "accelerates the sun triggered tanning processes in your skin." Tanning lotions also include oils and emollients to moisturize the skin and create an even surface for smooth tanning.
History
According to Suntan.com, the tanning craze began with Coco Chanel, who returned from a visit to the French Riviera with a suntan. Others rushed to emulate her daring style, and tans soon came to symbolize a life of leisure and wealth. Before specific products were developed to help tan the skin, people used baby oil and cocoa butter to darken their skin in the sun. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, tanning lotion manufacturers such as Coppertone helped to popularize the ideal of being tan instead of being pale. Tanning lotion only became more popular in the 1970s and 1980s as tanning beds and indoor tanning made year-round tans trendy.
DHA
Most suntan lotions contain an active ingredient called DHA, or dihydroxyacetone. According to the authors of "An Introduction to Physical Science," doctors at the University of Cincinnati Children's Hospital discovered DHA's tanning properties by accident in the 1950s. DHA is essentially a sugar, which reacts with the amino acids in the outer layer of your skin to create a brown color. Most tanning lotions contain a small percentage of DHA, somewhere between 2 and 5 percent, depending on how dark a tan the lotion promotes.
Misconceptions
Suntan lotion is often confused with sunscreen or sunblock--only the latter protect your skin from the sun's harmful UV rays. According to the New Zealand Dermatological Society, sunscreens function as either chemical or physical blockers. Chemical sunscreens absorb harmful UVA and UVB rays, while physical blockers deflect them. They recommend using a sunscreen of at least SPF 15, applied 20 minutes before you plan on being exposed to the sun. Most suntan lotions do not contain this level of SPF.
Warning
According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, tanning in direct sunlight or tanning beds can lead to premature aging as well as skin cancer. Tanning, it says, is the skin's defense against UV damage, but the enzymes your body uses to repair the damage don't always get the job done. Damage left unchecked exhibits itself as wrinkles, sunspots or cancerous cells. It strongly suggests using sunless tanners if you want to darken your skin.
