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General Tanning Industry Discussions Tanning Salon Owners and Professionals in The Tanning Industry Discuss a wide Variety of Topics. |
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02-12-2006, 01:59 PM | #1 (permalink) |
Join Date: Nov 30 2000 Location: Ontario Age: 61
Posts: 38,594
Rep Power: 107 | Beware of supplements that claim to create a tan Beware of supplements that claim to create a tan BY RICHARD HARKNESS Knight Ridder Newspapers Q: Self-tanning creams make me itch. I'm now taking tanning tablets that contain PABA, L-tyrosine, and copper. With all the negatives about being out in the sun, I would think this would be a great alternative. The tablets give me a slight tan. They work more if you are out in the sun. Are they safe to take? Someone told me that a beta carotene supplement would also tan the skin. A: It's tempting to think you could get that " bronze " suntan look from a pill, particularly during winter months. This product may be safe if ingredients are within recommended amounts (Your question didn't include amounts). But keep in mind my oft-repeated caution: Dietary supplements are only loosely regulated, and you can't always be sure the bottle contents match what's stated on the label. Be wary especially of products heavily promoted on the Internet by an unfamiliar company. That said, I've seen no evidence that "tanning pills" actually work. These products claim to boost the amount of melanin in your skin. Melanin is the skin pigment produced by exposure to the sun's UV rays. It darkens or tans the skin. Technically, the product you take can claim a connection to melanin. PABA appears to affect the body's metabolism of melanin, and tyrosine plays a role in the body's manufacture of melanin. Practically, however, exposure to UV rays is still needed for your skin to produce melanin, and most diets provide adequate amounts of PABA and tyrosine. PABA, part of folic acid, a B vitamin, is found in several foods, including grains, eggs, milk and meat. By the way, PABA applied externally blocks UV rays and is used in some commercial sunscreen products. Tyrosine, an amino acid, is present in protein-containing foods such as dairy products, meats, fish, eggs, nuts, beans, oats and wheat. Copper is a trace mineral the body incorporates into many enzymes. The bottom line: The rationale for these products is shaky, other than separating your money from your wallet. Finally, you mentioned beta carotene pills. Beta carotene, along with lycopene, lutein and canthaxanthin, is a member of the carotenoid family. Carotenoids are pigments that give fruits and vegetables their red, orange and yellow colors. In high doses, beta carotene also turns the skin yellow or orange, not exactly the "tanned" color you might want. But there's a real concern about taking beta-carotene supplements in higher amounts. Doses of 20 mg daily are associated with an increased risk of heart disease and cancer in people who smoke. It's not known whether this risk might apply generally, so it's best to be wary of supplemental beta carotene in amounts significantly higher than standard multivitamin products provide (typically 1.2 mg). Ample amounts of beta carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, are provided by veggies and fruits such as sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, mango and cantaloupe. You'd be wise to avoid beta carotene pills for coloring the skin. http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/living/13670669.htm |
02-12-2006, 03:06 PM | #2 (permalink) |
I love Derf!! Join Date: Jul 10 2004 Location: california
Posts: 3,385
Rep Power: 50 | Re: Beware of supplements that claim to create a tan I turned my baby yellow/orange once. Every baby food that he liked changed his color. The doctor said to mix up some greens to even him out. ~whoknewthatcouldhappenface~
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02-13-2006, 09:48 AM | #4 (permalink) |
I love Derf!! Join Date: Jul 16 2004 Location: NH
Posts: 474
Rep Power: 21 | Re: Beware of supplements that claim to create a tan Great post Neon. It is very important to know what a supplement can and can’t do. As mention supplements are “loosely regulated.” What you don’t know about supplements can hurt you. |
09-19-2006, 06:18 AM | #5 (permalink) |
Join Date: Feb 1 2006 Location: Tennessee Age: 62
Posts: 2,077
Rep Power: 103 | Re: Beware of supplements that claim to create a tan What color DID you get?
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09-19-2006, 11:30 AM | #9 (permalink) |
I love Derf!! Join Date: Aug 2 2004 Location: Washington State
Posts: 529
Rep Power: 23 | Re: Beware of supplements that claim to create a tan didn't cal tan used to sell a lotion that had pills in the top that you were supposed to take along with tanning? - don't remember what it was called - YYYEEEAARRSS ago. |
09-19-2006, 07:30 PM | #10 (permalink) |
Join Date: Feb 1 2006 Location: Tennessee Age: 62
Posts: 2,077
Rep Power: 103 | Re: Beware of supplements that claim to create a tan Yeah, that was in or around 1999.
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