Safe Tan?
July 26, 2005
Crave a tan but fear skin cancer? You’re right to be worried. But the answer to the riddle of a safe tan is found in a bottle. “It’s best to choose self-tanners with a dye called dihydroxyacetone, or DHA,” said UAB dermatologist Craig Elmets, M.D. “These lotions offer the safest and most effective way to get a tan. DHA reacts with proteins to brown the skin’s surface. As skin sheds, the color fades. The chemical works best on people with naturally golden-toned skin and can be applied every few hours until the desired tone is achieved; then reapplied every one-to-four days. By themselves, the products don’t prevent sunburns, so apply sunscreen, too, before heading outdoors.
Contact Hank Black, Media Relations, (205) 934-8938 or hblack@uab.edu.