Tanning Techniques: Tanning Pills and Tanning Showers - Are they Safe?

Warning: Tanning Pills are not approved by FDA

Tanning (a darkening of the skin) is the human skin's natural reaction to UV radiation — and when skin is exposed to the rays, the melanocytes produce more melanin which is what darkens the epidermis.  The darkening of the epidermis is the body’s natural defense mechanism against further damage that would otherwise result from UV radiation exposure.

The UV rays of the sun causes damage to the DNA of the skin’s epidermis, the top layer, which triggers a release of enzymes that try to repair the damage. As a result of having damage to the skin's DNA cells, a mutation occurs which leads to an increased risk of skin cancer. Repeated unprotected exposure to UV rays can also, over time, cause sun spots, saggy skin and premature wrinkling.

In the endeavor to get the perfect tan, there are some people that may be considering taking tanning pills. There are no tanning pills approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for this purpose. However, there are many manufacturers who continue to put out products that make the claim that these so-called tanning pills are absolutely safe to use, as well as allowing consumers to achieve a "perfect tan". Any person considering taking a tanning pill should seriously think about the risk factors associated with these pills and question the efficacy of such a product.

Tanning pills are promoted for tinting the skin by consuming large amounts of artificial color additives such as canthaxanthin.  When ingested in large amounts, the active substance gets deposited into various parts of the human body, including the skin which accounts for the appearance of a “tan.” The color achieved (from orange to a sallow yellow color) will vary from person to person and the coloration is not because of an increase in melanin, but rather from dying of the skin.  The sale of tanning pills from foreign sources is strictly prohibited in the United States because of instability of ingredients and possible harmful side effects to humans.