History of Sunless

The airbrush tanning industry was conceived on an elegant premise, vanity. Being tan makes you feel pretty and look thin. Movie stars, models and television actors all have that healthy glow that we want.

Historically a suntan was considered a fashion “no no”, but in the 1920′s a sun-kissed body became a huge phenomenon. It is rumored that Coco Chanel is the woman behind this trend. After vacationing in the south of France she came back with a tan. This sent women running for the beach.

Oddly enough, DHA (Dihydroxyacetone) was also identified in the 1920′s by German scientists. At the time this was not being tested as a skin colorant but was discovered that when spilled on the skin it turned brown.

In the 1950′s Eva Wittgenstein, from the University of Cincinnati, conducted studies on Dihydroxyacetone, which was used in a drug for Glycogen Storage Disease. Again when spilled on the skin, it turned the skin brown. This intrigued her enough to continue studying DHA and discovered that the browning effect was a consist result.

In 1960 Coppertone introduced the first ever sunless tanning lotion. ”Quick Tan” or “QT” was sold as a sunless tanner that developed overnight.

In 1973 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) added DHA to the list of approved cosmetic ingredients.

The 1980′s proved to be a better decade for the enhancement of sunless tanning products.  Changes in formulas and manufacturing processes produced more natural looking results with less streaking and better fading.

Today spray tanning is hotter than ever. With concerns about healthy skin, premature aging, cancer and the need for instant gratification, the sunless industry is booming. One can find self-tanners in a variety of sprays, lotions, gels and mousses at their local retailer. Professionally applied products include spray tan booths and personalized airbrush tan applications.

No matter how the love for a tan started, it’s here to stay and now it’s safer than nature.