Glossary Term

Bronzer (DHA)

A DHA bronzer is a sunbed lotion that contains dihydroxyacetone (DHA), the same ingredient used in self-tan. After your session the DHA reacts with the top layer of the skin (the Maillard reaction) and develops extra colour over the next few hours, usually reaching its full depth within 24 hours. Many DHA bronzers also carry a cosmetic guide colour so you can see where you have applied. For an even result, exfoliate beforehand and apply with long, even strokes. Products that use DHA on their own, without a sunbed, are self-tans rather than bronzers: see Self-Tan.