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These products promise dark skin based on three factors. First, they make sunlight penetrate the skin slowly, barring part of the radiation. It’s the same principle as sunscreens, but with a much lower intensity. While in filters the protection factor is 15 or 30, for example, in a tan it is 2 or 4 – which means that, if you are using the product, you can stay two or four times longer under the sun than if you had unprotected skin. The second principle of tanning is to lubricate the skin. “This prevents it from peeling and makes the summer color last longer”, says dermatologist Luiz Carlos Cuce, from Hospital das Clínicas, in São Paulo. The third secret is the formula rich in beta-carotene, a pigment that dyes the superficial layer of the skin, increasing the impression that it has turned brown. “This substance is deposited on the epidermis, giving it a golden color that blends with that of a real tan”, says dermatologist Nina Rosa Rigoni, from São Paulo.
Another type of similar product, but with a different action, is self-tanning cream, also known as self-tanner. Those who apply the cream to their body have their skin darkened by a type of sugar, dihydroxyacetone (DHA). When this substance interacts with the surface of the skin, the cells instantly take on a brownish tint. It’s like a temporary camouflage, guaranteeing a darker color more intense than that of common bronzers. The big problem is that this cream needs to be reapplied every three days. As the body sheds older cells from the outer layer of the skin (see the question about peeling in the Health section), the lab tan also falls away. One thing is certain: neither traditional nor automatic tans protect against burns. So, even if you already leave the house with dark skin, don’t even think about skimping on sunscreen.