Safety of Tanning Pills

The push to achieve a deeper, darker tan has prompted the manufacturing of tanning pills that claim to color the skin from the inside out. According to the Mayo Clinic, though, knowing the dangers of tanning pills is crucial.

Uses

• Various types of tanning pills are used to color the skin without the use of UV rays from the sun or indoor tanning beds. Tanning pills are designed to dissolve in fatty layers of the skin and produce a rich, bronzed color.

Ingredients

• The primary ingredient in tanning pills is canthaxanthin, which is a class of red and yellow pigments, commonly used as a color additive in sauces and foods. The dangers of tanning pills revolve around this ingredient because it is known to turn skin orange and brown. The Mayo Clinic also warns tanners with large amounts of canthaxanthin produce a formation of crystals in the retina.

Types

• The three primary types of tanning pills are EluSun, Mayan Secret, and Deep Tan. EluSun and Deep Tan both contain dangerous caretenoids. The manufacturer of Mayan Secret has not published its ingredients, yet the product claims to produce melanin, a common tanning agent.

Dangers

• The dangers of tanning pills revolve around canthaxanthin. While this substance has been approved by the FDA as a color additive for food, it has not been approved for use in tanning pills. When consuming large amounts of the agent, tanners may experience nausea, stomach cramps, and diarrhea.

Regulation

• Indoor tanning is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration; however, tanning pills containing canthaxanthin have not been approved by the FDA.