SECUNDA – Cansa warned the public against the illegal sale and distribution of a dangerous sunless product called Melanotan II.
Melanotan II is a dangerous laboratory-made chemical that is similar to a hormone found in humans called melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH).
“Care should be taken not to confuse Melanotan II with melatonin,” said Prof Michael C Herbst who did the research.
“Melanotan II has been used to produce erections in men with erectile dysfunction and lately also to tan the skin without exposure to the sun (sunless tanning).”
She urged people to visit Cansa’s website at www,cansa.org.za and read the fact sheet and position statement about sunless tanning.
“Melanotan II is similar to a substance found in our bodies, called melanocyte-stimulating hormone, which increases the production of skin-darkening pigments.
“Melanotan II is possibly safe when used under medical supervision for treating erectile dysfunction.
“There is, however, insufficient information to know whether it is safe for other uses.”
Adverse effects which may occur with the use of Melanotan II include nausea, stomach cramps, decreased appetite, flushing, tiredness, yawning, darkened skin, spontaneous erections of the penis and other side effects.
Cases of malignant melanoma (the most dangerous type of skin cancer) have been scientifically described following the use of Melanotan II.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use Melanotan II at all.
Sunless tanning (also known as UV-free tanning, self-tanning, spray-tanning, when it is applied topically, or fake-tanning) refers to the application of chemicals to the skin or making use of chemicals that are taken by mouth or per injection, to produce an effect similar in appearance to a suntan.
The popularity of sunless tanning rose since the 1960s after links were made by health professionals between exposure to the sun and other sun tanning methods, such as sunbeds or tanning beds and the incidence of skin cancer.
Types of sunless tanning include:
* Bronzing powders.
It is a cosmetic applied to the skin to simulate a temporary and short lived sun tan.
It comes packaged either as a compact or as loose powder.
It can be applied with a sponge, brush or powder puff.
* Spray bronzers.
This is the application of a fast drying, brown spray-on colour solution.
The change in colour is visible the moment the product is applied to the skin using an airbrush or spray.
* Stick bronzers.
This looks similar to deodorant sticks.
These products can be stroked right onto the legs for instant colour.
It is said that using a concealer with the leg bronzer will help hide scars, spider veins and other leg imperfections.
Also, leg bronzers can be set with translucent powder to keep the colour from rubbing off.
* Tanning Wipes (also known as tanning towelettes).
These are said to be convenient and easy to use.
It is said to create a streak-free, natural looking tan-like effect.
With enough self-tanner for one application, each towelette can be used at home or on-the-go.
The tan is usually two shades darker than one’s natural skin tone.
* Tanning tablets.
It usually contains canthaxantines and can make one yellow or orange if one takes too much.
It is not approved by the FDA as too high dosages causes pigment to concentrate in the retina of the eyes.
It can cause liver disease and bone marrow suppression.
The dosage provided on the bottle of the tanning tablets are usually too high for safe use.
* Tanning capsules.
These are similar to tanning tablets described above.
The main difference being that the product is presented in a capsule instead of a compressed tablet form.
* Tanning nasal spray.
A spray that is usually squirted up the nostrils twice a day.
It is said to help in the creation of a beautiful tan within days.
There are different types of tanning nasal sprays on the market, some contain melanotan whilst others contain herbal extracts.
* Sunless tanning lotion.
A lotion applied topically to stain the skin to a desired tone.
Although lotions that contain DHA are said to be the most reliable and useful, there are dozens of other types of products on the market.
* Tanning accelerators.
Lotions that usually contain the amino acid tyrosine.
* Tanning injections.
A synthetic hormone injected to top up tans is illegal and should not be used.
Widespread coverage has been given to the news that Melanotan, injected under the skin to encourage the skin to darken, has never been safety tested by any Western government healthcare agency.
These injections is sold online or under the counter at gyms and beauty salons and because the drug is self-injected, there are fears that users are putting themselves at risk of infections such as hepatitis or HIV.
Anyone currently using Melanotan should stop doing so immediately for their own safety.
How does sunless tanning products work?
Sunless tanning products, also called self-tanners, can give your skin a tanned look without exposure of the skin to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
These products are often sold as lotions and sprays that one can apply to your skin.
Professional spray-on tanning is also available at many salons, spas and tanning businesses.
The active ingredient in many of these sunless tanning products is the colour additive, dihydroxyacetone.
When applied to the skin, dihydroxyacetone reacts with the dead cells in the surface of the skin to temporarily darken the skin.
This colouring typically wears off after seven to 10 days.
Some sunless tanning products contain sunscreen which is effective only for about two hours.
The tanned effect of the sunless tanning product does not provide any protection to the skin against ultraviolet rays from the sun.
Should a person, who has applied a sunless tanning product, want to spend time outdoors, application of a sunscreen becomes essential.
According to Ms Jacqueline Erasmus, community mobiliser at Cansa Secunda, Cansa firmly believes that topical sunless tanning products should not be applied to children’s skins under any circumstance.
“Cansa is of the opinion that individuals who choose to make use of any form of topical sunless tanning (a fake tan) should be aware that:
* Sunless tanning stains the skin a darker colour, but that this darker colour does not provide any protection against the UV rays of the sun.
* Sunless tanning products that contain sunscreen provides relevant protection for a maximum of two hours after application and not for the duration of the sunless tan.
* None of the sunless tanning products that are available have been scientifically proven to stimulate the production of melanin in the skin.
