Posted on 1st Jul 2011 @ 4:02 PM

Q. Are tanning pills safe?

A. It all depends on the active ingredients in the tanning pill. Some tanning pills may be actually dangerous for you, and some pills noticeably improve the condition of your skin.

Tanning pills are marketed for those who want to achieve the darkest, deepest tan in the minimum amount of time. As always, quick results come with the price. Most tanning pills contain para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) which is chemically related to parabens. If you try to avoid parabens in your skincare, why would you ingest them in much larger doses that any cosmetic product contains? I would recommend avoiding tanning pills that contain PABA.

Other ingredients in tanning pills are amino acid L-Tyrosine and copper. L-Tyrosine plays an important role in plant photosynthesis and it also regulates the production of dark pigment melanin in the skin. However, tyrosine also stimulates the production of neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain which may cause excitation, anxiety, and elevated blood pressure. Copper can be easily overdosed which causes unwanted side effects such as low blood pressure, skin yellowing, kidney and liver damage, and anemia.

The best (and least expensive) tanning pill would be a simple beta-carotene supplement. Not only it nourishes your body with an essential antioxidant, it also improves the natural sun protection of your skin and helps you achieve a golden glowing tan. Unlike synthetic vitamin A, retinol, beta-carotene has little side effects, the only one is coloring your skin pale yellow which is harmless. This yellowish tint disappears after you stop taking beta-carotene.

Other helpful tanning supplements include resveratrol, lutein, lycopene, and vitamin E. These antioxidants help prevent and repair the damage done by UV rays so your skin stays healthier and smoother no matter how dramatically tan you decide to become. One of the better tanning pills I found is Imedeen Tan Optimizer but it’s quite expensive, so you’ll be much better off buying lycopene and beta-carotene supplements separately and taking them before and during your summer vacation.

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