FAQS > MYSTIC TAN INFORMATION > What is DHA and how safe is it?
Do you have a question about tanning, lotion, or Tan Republic in general? This is where you'll find the answers!
Search the FAQ for entries containing:
DHA is dihydroxyacetone, a carbohydrate (monosaccharide sugar) compound approved by the FDA for use in externally applied sunless tanning solutions.
DHA is usually derived from a vegetable source like beets or sugar cane. Its properties as a skin darkener were discovered in the 1920’s but weren’t marketed as such until the 1960’s when Coppertone® introduced Quick Tan®.
It was added to the FDA’s list of approved cosmetic ingredients in the 1970’s. DHA is the tanning ingredient used in the Mystic Tan tanning solution that has produced more than 2 million sunless tans with no documented reports of adverse effects.
Last updated on August 31, 2011 by Tan Republic
