What Are the Dangers of Tanning Pills?

There are many options for a deep, dark tan, but with the warm glow comes potential dangers. The dangers of tanning pills have tanners questioning the safety of sunless alternatives.

Uses

Tanning pills are used to color the skin from the inside out. By consuming a pill that dissolves in the fatty layers of the skin, tanners can avoid harmful rays from the sun.

Ingredients

Canthaxanthin is the primary ingredient within tanning pills. It is a class of red and yellow pigments, commonly used as a color additive in sauces and foods.

Types

There are three primary types of tanning pills. EluSun pills contain caretenoid pigments, beta carotene and lycopene. Mayan Secret tanning pills is supposed to produce melanin in the body, yet its ingredients are unknown. Deep Tan pills contain lycopene and beta carotene, both dangerous caretenoids.

Dangers

While canthaxanthin has been approved by the FDA for use in food, it hasn't been approved as a tanning agent. Large amounts of canthaxanthin within tanning pills can cause adversely affect the eyes and cause nausea, diarrhea and stomach cramps.

Regulation

The Food and Drug Administration regulates cosmetic products, indoor tanning, and sunless tanners and warns tanners about the dangers of tanning pills. Pills containing canthaxanthin are not approved by the FDA.

References

• Food and Drug Administration
• AskDeb