Tanning Pills
Tanning pills are one of the latest methods of
tanning. They work because they contain pigment altering chemicals. There
are two main types of tanning pills which work with two entirely different
methods. One works by dyeing the skin while the other works by increasing
the bodies ability to tan itself. It should be noted that these pills are
not currently legal for sale in the United States and their overall safety
is in question.
One type of tanning pill is completely sunless and works
because it contains carotenoids. Carotenoids are the chemicals that give
carrots their orange color. By ingesting the pill, the carotenoids build
up in the skin giving the user a tanned appearance. This type of pill does
not give the user any skin protection like a traditional tan. It merely
dyes the skin. It will go away when the user stops taking the pills.
Carotenoids have been approved by the FDA for use as a food coloring but
have not been approved for use in the quantity necessary to give the user
a tanned appearance.
Another type of pill works a different way. It
works by increasing the bodies production of melanin. With this method,
the user takes a pill containing the chemical tyrosine and then exposes
themselves to sunshine. The tyrosine then speeds up the bodies production
of melanin. With this method of tanning, the user gets the benefits of a
real tan including protection from further sun exposure. The drug does
have side effects including nausea, headaches and vomiting.
Perhaps some day there will be a commonly
available, cheap and safe way of tanning with a pill but for the meantime
we will have to just wait and see. Tanning pills are early in their
development and are just not ready for use by the general public
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