PICTURE: PEXELS/TANNING
Are you interested in trying out tanning pills without the inconvenience of tanning beds or spending endless hours in the sun?
With many individuals looking for a quick and simple solution to get that sun-kissed glow, it is easy to find the above tempting, however, it is important to find out if this quick fix actually does its job or not, the below publications dive into it, providing you with all the necessary information before trying it out:
According to the health-focused publication Healthline, “The most common active ingredient in tanning pills is a food-colouring additive called canthaxanthin. When you ingest this colour additive, it purportedly releases pigment-changing compounds in your skin, and long-term use will make your skin turn darker.”
The health publication states that the effects of taking tanning pills include:
- Gastrointestinal problems, including diarrhoea and cramping in the abdomen
- Liver damage
- Retinopathy (damage to the eyes)
Tanning pills have some limitations to their effectiveness. For the dyes to accumulate in your body sufficiently to appear on your skin, it may take up to two weeks. In contrast to the bronze-like colour that many people desire in tanned skin, the final colour will probably appear more orange to orangish-brown, the health hub mentioned above further adds.
According to Medical News Today, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notes that each person experiences this colourant effect differently; some may attain a brownish hue, whilst others experience a brighter orange colour.
“Some of these side effects may disappear as soon as a person stops taking the pills. Others can take months or years to clear,” the above-mentioned health news publication.
Also see: Achieve a flawless glow with these top 5 tips for sun and self-tanning
