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The active tanning ingredient(s) in sunless or airbrush solution is either DHA alone or
DHA in combination with Erythulose. Top quality, effective solutions can be
developed with either approach and the use of Erythulose does not appear to guarantee an edge.
The Tanning Store expects, at various times, to carry
solutions developed with both philosophies. In the discusion that follows, the case for
including Erythulose is presented.
Erythrulose has been developed to reduce the disadvantages of the previously available self-tanning
solutions, namely an irregular and streaky tan as well as a strong drying
effect.
Erythrulose is a natural keto-sugar which reacts with amino acids of keratin in
the skin. This leads to the DHA-driven formation of brownish polymers.
In one study, volunteers treated with a DHA/Erythrulose solution were copmared to
others treated with the DHA solution alone. Erythrulose in combination with DHA
produced a more even and longer lasting tan without the undesired streaks. The
skin treated with the combination solution was 30% less dry than those treated
with DHA alone. The maximal tanning intensity was reached with the Erythrulose
after 4-6 days and with DHA after 2 days. Due to this slower reaction and to
its more uniform distribution in the outer skin, Erythrulose is believed to to
be responsible for a more uniform, even, and longer lasting tan.
In summary, Erythrulose in combination with DHA may produce a deep, uniform and natural skin tan without undesired streaks.
Thanks to its retardation effect, Erythrulose prolongs the tan and leaves the skin less dry.
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