After you apply the tan, your hands are now in the danger zone. Don’t touch anything for ten minutes. I mean it. No phone. No coffee cup. No petting your dog. Sit on your hands. Or, do the “T-Rex pose” with your elbows bent and your hands hanging in the air. Your friends will laugh, but your hands will look amazing. Also, avoid water. Water breaks down the developing tan. So no hand washing, no rain, no tears of joy—at least for a few hours.
The Weird But True Science
Here’s a quirky fact: Dihydroxyacetone (DHA)—the chemical that makes you brown—reacts with amino acids in your dead skin cells. Your hands have tons of dead skin. That’s why they tan faster. But did you know that the pH of your skin matters? Sweaty hands are more acidic. Acidic skin makes the tan turn orange. So, before you tan, wash your hands with a neutral pH soap. Dry them completely. Then apply your mixture. You are now a scientist of bronze. You’re welcome.
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