Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: thedoc on 23/08/2013 09:30:01

Title: Are there any medicines that give you a sun-tan?
Post by: thedoc on 23/08/2013 09:30:01

Torry Coetzee  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Hi Chris

Is there a safe tablet a person can take to increase the melanin in your skin to increase a tanned look.

Thanks

Torry Coetzee
Pretoria
South Africa

What do you think?

Title: Re: Are there any medicines that give you a sun-tan?
Post by: CliffordK on 23/08/2013 19:38:41

Carotenemia is caused by eating lots of carrots, and can give a yellow/orange tone to the skin, perhaps somewhat more tanned looking.
Argyria is a bluing of the skin caused by the consumption of colloidal silver.

Perhaps one could create a tan tattoo color, but it could make a horrible mess if it went bad.

None of those, of course, create melanin.  There are people experimenting with topical creams to increase melanin, but they are all still in the experimental phase.

Title: Re: Are there any medicines that give you a sun-tan?
Post by: cheryl j on 26/08/2013 11:47:42

I think there is a drug that prevents malaria that causes hyperpigmentation but I don't think it is all that safe to take long term or unless the alternative is getting malaria. I don't even know if it is widely used anymore, but it was commonly given to soldiers in the South Pacific during WWII.

Title: Re: Are there any medicines that give you a sun-tan?
Post by: alancalverd on 26/08/2013 20:37:29

Doxycyclin increases photosensitivity but is not available over the counter. However it is often prescribed in suspected cases of nonspecific urethritis where there are no objective symptoms, so a visit to the local  STD clinic and a few half-truths may do the job. Better still if you need it anyway.

I strongly recommend John Howard Griffin's book "Black Like Me". It's a gripping read, hugely significant, and among other more important things he explains the medical treatment he underwent to achieve a convincing 100% negroid complexion. Unfortunately it's over 50 years since I read it and I can't remember the details. It should be compulsory reading for anyone with pretensions to be a human being, so do let me know the answer!