DHA Bronzer Question?

[Sunshine]

When using a lotion with a DHA bronzer, does it react (darken) everywhere it is applied, or just in the areas that are exposed? I tan with my swimsuit on (I like the tan lines and hubby thinks they're sexy too!) so I don't want to darken the white parts. Do I have to be really careful about where I apply the lotion to avoid 'bronzing' the white parts or can I just put it on all over and have my swimsuit block the reaction?

If I have to keep it off the areas covered by my swimsuit, it seems like applying lotion would be a real chore. Not sure it would be worth it.

[Tpsyduck]

A DHA lotion will "tan" your skin better with exposure, but you Could/should see a color change with or without exposure, depending somewhat on how much DHA a lotion contains. It will change color to all of where it's applied, so ya might try to avoid your tan lines to be safe I've used DHA tanning lotions as Moisturizers on "Off" days to get a little boost of color if I need it, and it works great

[Sunshine]

Thanks for the quick reply! I guess I'll put it on carefully and just test a small spot on the white areas to see what it does without the UV exposure. If I like the bronzer effect one the rest of me it looks like the tan lines will have to go...just too much effort to apply lotion carefully around them all the time~!

[Sc0tt]

Yes. If you were to put DHA Bronzers on the parts you don't tan, after 4 hours atleast, you'd see a difference and the tan lines wouldn't be as 'drastic' because of the bronzer in that area which 'dyes the skin'.

[Val]

You can definetly see a color change with DHA w/o exposure. Sometimes I use my smoke black to darken my hands and arms.

[BrownJen]

OK, DHA and UV light are two different things. DHA, is a sugar, that reacts with the protein amino acids on your skin. It changes the color of your dead keratin cells on the outer surface to a tan color.
It has NOTHING to do with the melanin production and tan you get from UV exposure. The tan you get from UV light takes place deeper in your skin, DHA can't penetrate to that depth. Many tanners use lotions with DHA in them to ENHANCE your tan, it's not a real tan. If you apply DHA you will turn a tan color even if you haven't had any UV exposure.
Sunshine, if you apply the dha to your white areas they will darken since these areas have dead keratin cells. It's a good idea to test a spot to see what color you will get from the DHA. Just remember to use a light bronzer. If the DHA is too dark for you it will turn you orange.

[Sunshine]

So the DHA reaction will be the same, whether exposed to UV or not?

[sunbunny]

Quote:
On 2004-01-07 11:07, Sunshine wrote:
So the DHA reaction will be the same, whether exposed to UV or not?


Pretty much, yes. It may look darker on areas exposed to UV, but that's because the skin will be getting darker from tanning.[ This Message was edited by: sunbunny on 2004-01-07 11:35 ]

[Summers Tan]

Just use a regular lotion without DHA.Then you don't have to worry about it.

[Sunshine]

Quote:
On 2004-01-07 11:47, Summers Tan wrote:
Just use a regular lotion without DHA.Then you don't have to worry about it.

That's mostly what I've used so far (regular lotions)...but I think I've sort hit a plateau now and was looking for a way to get past it.

[sunbunny]

Quote:
On 2004-01-07 13:24, Sunshine wrote:
Quote:
On 2004-01-07 11:47, Summers Tan wrote:
Just use a regular lotion without DHA.Then you don't have to worry about it.

That's mostly what I've used so far (regular lotions)...but I think I've sort hit a plateau now and was looking for a way to get past it.

A mild tingle might help. Or maybe an upgrade bed.

[Anya1976]

a mild tingle would be a better way to get past a plateau. or as bunny suggested try an upgrade. i would suggest an HP bed since that has the most UVA

[Tpsyduck]

Yeah, a light tingle would probably help, but a DHA is also a good way to go if ya don't want to tingle... and definitely a good upgrade will help too, I did this when I tanned at my friends salon and I did see a diffence.

[Anya1976]

i personaly don't see how a dha lotion does anything but stain your skin. if u are trying to get past a plateau u need more melanin stimulation like with a tingle or using an upgrade bed. a DHA lotion does nothing for melanin stimulation it like i said just "stains" your skin a darker color

[BrownJen]

IF you want to LOOK darker, a dha lotion is the way to go. If you want to BE darker a tingle or an upgrade bed is the way to go. Once the dha is gone, your tan will go back to the color it was before you used the dha.

[Val]

Tingles don't get me as dark as DHA lotions do. Maybe because I don't use hot enough tingles. I like the color I get with DHA. It's all just a matter of preference.

[Anya1976]

Quote:
On 2004-01-10 00:11, Val wrote:
Tingles don't get me as dark as DHA lotions do. Maybe because I don't use hot enough tingles. I like the color I get with DHA. It's all just a matter of preference.

well they stain your skin so you look darker it's only the illusion that u are drastically darker. i see a difference when i use tingles and see an actual difference in my tan. bronzers just look darker for a couple days.

[BrownJen]

I'm not trying to imply one's better than the other. Personally, I love DHA, I use it all the time. As for tingles, I've never been that big a fan of them. I mostly use the lower ones on occasion. Just know that once the DHA wears off, you're tan won't be any darker from it.