July is Ultraviolet Awareness Month
For some reason, tanning is still in vogue. It isn’t healthy, it isn’t safe, and many people no longer think it looks attractive Be that as it may, people still make pilgrimages to the beach, lake, or their own back yard in search of the sun to bask in its rays and get a golden tan. To assist in that endeavor, there are tanning sprays, foams, lotions and now tanning pills.
According to Mary McGeever, tanning pills are the rage all over social sites like TikTok. These pills allegedly work because they contain canthaxanthin, a synthetic color additive similar to beta-carotene, the substance that gives carrots their orange color.
Once swallowed, the additives in the pills are then deposited throughout the body, especially the skin, giving it a sun-kissed hue.These pills are often marketed as a way to enhance a tan but not without some concern say dermatologists.
“One potential hazard is that the ingredients in these pills offer no protection from the sun’s damaging rays,” says Dr. Alexis Young, dermatologist with Hackensack University Medical Center. “The ingredients can actually make your skin even more sensitive to sunlight, making you more susceptible to sunburn and potential skin cancers.”
See Why Should You Wear Sunscreen? Everything You Wanted to Know about Sun Protection
Dr. Young also warns of other potential health concerns including a build up of canthaxanthin in the liver which may result in damage to the organ as well as an accumulation in the retina, potentially causing vision problems.
“Of all the tanning options available, I do not recommend tanning pills,” says Dr. Young. “I suggest choosing a tanning lotion with DHA (dihydroxyacetone), which is a safe and effective ingredient that reacts with the skin's amino acids to produce a brown pigment.”
This July, UV Awareness Month, Dr. Young reminds everyone that the sun emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can damage your skin and lead to sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. To protect yourself, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, even on cloudy days. Apply sunscreen liberally and evenly to all exposed skin 15 minutes before going outside, and reapply every two hours, or more often if you are sweating or swimming.
For more information contact mary.mcgeever@hmhn.org
