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Tanning Pill in Australia |
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Sunday, 05 October 2008 |
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e all know and love the sun; our glorious star that that warms the Earth, giving life and distinguishing night from day. Without the sun’s therapeutic rays, some people develop SAD, seasonal affective disorder-a type of depression related to seasonal changes, and to a smaller degree why we are innately happier on a sunny day.
Sun Gives us Vitamin-D
Sun exposure also helps our bodies produce Vitamin D, which is good for our immune systems and is proven to reduce the risk of breast, ovarian, colon and prostate cancers, as the vitamin helps slow cell growth in those particular types of tumors. But more importantly to some, the sun… like… helps us geta tan.
But we hear it from our mothers, our doctors, the TV, and all those health magazines: Tanning is bad. Unhealthy. “Ultra Violet (UV) rays cause cancer.” Skin cancer, the most common form of cancer — potentially fatal, they say. And it ages your skin. Yet still we bask religiously in the rays, or seek out the neon glow of tanning beds to achieve that tan we love... the silent killer.
Luckily, scientists are devoting their efforts to help the plight of the pale and have isolated proteins called “melanocytes” which make a natural pigment called melanin the primary determinant of human skin color. Birthmarks and moles, for example are spots of excess melanin production, which is why they are particularly darker. According to Dr. Mac Hadley, a researcher from the University of the sun-exposed state of Arizona, “melanin collects right above the nucleus of the cell and forms a screen, a pigmentary screen, and when the ultra violet light comes down, it is absorbed by the melanin.” So the more sun you get, the darker the melanin becomes. Individuals with more melanin production tend to have naturally darker skin tones and less instances of skin cancer. Fair-skinned people, however, are less endowed with melanin, which is why tanning takes longer –and they have higher rates of skin cancer.
There is hope!
The latest development in melanin and melanocyte research is the discovery of a protein called “melanotan”, which stimulates the darkening of the skin without sunlight.
Originally discovered in frogs to help them change colors, melanotan can be used in humans for the same pigment coloring effect as a healthy dose of sun without sunburn or orange coloring. The commercialized form of melanotan, formerly called Epitan, now known as Clinuvel, is being developed by an Australian pharmaceutical company called Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals Limited. Because this protein can not be absorbed by the body’s digestive tract, it is delivered through injection and not in pill form. While there is still more research to be done, one amusing side effect noted by researchers is unwarranted, spontaneous erections in male users. Studies indicate the drug affects the brain rather than blood flow, which influences sexual desire and physical performance –something Viagra can’t offer.
Although this miracle tanning drug is not yet on the market, it will inevitably change tanning and even entire lifestyles.
And while it is doubtful this drug will reduce the need for skimpy bikinis and Speedos, it may encourage those with legitimate fears of over-sun exposure to spend more time enjoying being outside. This drug offers a healthier alternative to baking in the sun, while also making sun exposure less of a threat because of the new absorptive capabilities of the melanin-protected skin cells. But while higher levels of melanin will protect the body from UV rays, melanotan will not protect the body from the drying and aging effects of sun exposure. The tanning drug should be used to compliment the use of sunscreens and not as a supplement of other protective measures.
Just imagine. This new tanning trend could give a whole new meaning to the term “shooting up”, and your mother might even encourage it.
\S. Chase\UM Alum\
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