Suntans Without UV Exposure (or Fake Tan)
We all know how ultraviolet rays trigger the skin’s tanning response. Unfortunately, they also increase the risk of skin cancer.
But what if you could have that healthy, tanned glow without recourse to UV radiation?
Scientists recently trialled a topical cream that triggers melanin production without the need for UV exposure.
When topically applied, pigment production was induced in normal human skin. These findings demonstrate a realistic pathway toward UV-independent topical modulation of human skin pigmentation, potentially impacting UV protection and skin cancer risk.
So instead of booking yourself into the tanning salon or lying in the sun, you could have a realistic tan simply by applying a topical cream. You could throw out those bottles of fake tan, too.
Looking good while avoiding known risks, such as UV radiation, is the way forward in skin care. As someone who regularly treats patients with skin cancers, I’m watching this development with interest.