Chemistry For Your Life How does spray tan stain our skin?
Oct 17, 2024
Discover the chemistry of self-tanners and how they stain our skin! With roots tracing back to the 1960s, the key sugar dihydroxyacetone (DHA) interacts with skin proteins much like the Maillard reaction that happens when cooking food. The hosts break down complex concepts into simple terms and explore the safety and timing of color development. Fun quizzes and engaging discussions keep the vibe light, while intriguing insights about increased UV sensitivity and side effects offer a deeper look into your next sun-kissed glow!
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Listener Question Sparked The Episode
- Melissa credits Jessie for asking about self-tanners and recounts a student who orange-stained her hands after overdoing a self-tan.
- The story sparked the episode and framed the hosts' curiosity about what people apply to their skin.
DHA Causes A Maillard Browning On Skin
- Self-tanners use a sugar called dihydroxyacetone (DHA) that reacts with skin proteins to produce brown pigments through Maillard-type chemistry.
- This reaction browns the outer dead skin layer without requiring high heat, producing a temporary tan effect.
Colored Polymers Form During Browning
- Maillard reactions produce many complex, highly conjugated molecules that absorb visible light and appear brown.
- Long conjugated polymers formed in these cascades create the tan color in self-tanners.
