Scientists
have devised an implant that could give you a suntan without
the need to spend hours perfecting the perfect colour.
It is claimed that Melanotan develops a tan in three weeks
by increasing the amount of the pigment melanin in the skin.
The company behind the drug, Epitan, claims the tan lasts
for around three months.
And it says the drug also protects fair-skinned people against
sunburn.
"The danger of a product like Melanotan is that it
may give people a false sense of security when out in the
sun" --- Professor Lesley Walker, Cancer Research
UK
It
has published results of two studies into the effects of Melanotan.
In one study, six people were given a biodegradable implant
containing Melanotan, which was shown to be safe.
Further research will increase doses of the drug.
Comparison
In a second study, 80 people with different skin types took
part in research to see if Melanotan could protect against
sunburn.
They received controlled levels of UVA and UVB radiation onto
a small area of the skin, equivalent to spending 30 to 120
minutes in strong sun without sunscreen without any treatment.
Sixty were then given Melanotan for 10 days each month, for
three months, 20 were given a dummy version.
They were again exposed to the same amount of UV radiation.
Scientists from Sydney University, carrying out the research
on behalf of Epitan, found Melanotan reduced sunburn injury
in fair-skinned people by 50%.
Professor Ross Barnetson, who led the study, said: "The fair-skinned
people who took Melanotan had half the skin damage after the
study compared to before the study.
"The results showed that fair-skinned people who have developed
a tan are less likely to burn."
Complacency warning
But Dr Lesley Walker, of Cancer Research UK, said: "Work on
melanin stimulating drugs has been of interest in the treatment
of skin conditions like vitiligo, which are associated with
lack of normal pigmentation.
"However we would be concerned if such drugs were promoted
to people without a medical condition for cosmetic reasons.
"The danger of a product like Melanotan is that it may give
people a false sense of security when out in the sun.
"Though the makers of Melanotan say they would recommend users
to apply sunscreen before going out in the sun this may be
ignored by many in the mistaken belief that a suntan itself
offers protection against sunburn and DNA damaged skin.
"People who tan deeply and never burn can still get skin cancer."
Scientists
have devised an implant that could give you a suntan without
the need to spend hours perfecting the perfect colour.
