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Is There an Interaction Between Vitamin Supplements & Tanning Beds?

The skin contains a pigment-producing chemical called melanin. The cells that produce melanin, and a darker skin color, are called melanocytes. There is currently no scientific proof that certain vitamins, or tanning pills, optimize or reduce the effects of tanning beds.

  1. Background

    • Tanning beds emit ultraviolet radiation A and B, also known as UVA and UVB rays, mimicking the effects the sun has on skin, according to Medicine Net. They stimulate melanocyte activity with or without vitamin supplements, having a darkening effect on skin. Manufacturers of tanning vitamins claim their products accelerate the effects of tanning beds during and after UV exposure.

    Types

    • There are two types of tanning pills: sunless tanning pills, which tint the skin without UV exposure, and tan-accelerator pills, which work with UV exposure (from the sun or tanning beds) to increase melanin production for a "real" tan, according to Pink Fridge, an online women's magazine.

    Features

    • Tyrosine, the active ingredient in tanning vitamin supplements, is a non-essential amino acid and precursor to melanin. Tyrosine and its derivatives in tanning pills have not been scientifically proved to be safe or effective, according to the American Cancer Society. Tyrosine supplements are marketed as anti-depressants and energy boosters and the RxList.com gives them a fair grade in these respects.

    Vitamin D

    • The skin makes vitamin D from ultraviolet rays, leading it to be called the "sunshine vitamin," according to USA Today. Tanning salons have used the many health benefits of the vitamin to market their tanning beds; however, tanning in beds is no substitute for getting healthy doses of sunshine, according to Women to Women, a women's health website.

    Expert Insight

    • Most tanning beds put people at risk of unnecessary, excessive exposure to dangerous UVA rays, according to Women to Women. The pills may contain vitamins and botanicals, but this does not mean they stimulate melanin production, according to an article in The Observer newspaper in London.

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