Scientists Develop Drug That Gives You Natural Tan Without Sun’s Harmful Rays

Scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital in the United States have created a drug that stimulates the production of melanin, the natural defense of the skin against UVA rays, darkened to protect itself, maintaining a natural tan, avoiding the possibility of developing a melanoma.

The team hopes its discovery, published in the journal Cell Reports, means a decrease in exposure to UVA rays, responsible for producing up to 86% of melanomas, and also reduce staining by age and premature aging.

"Our goal is to create a novel strategy to protect the skin against UVA ration and cancer," says David Fisher, speaking to the BBC. The drug works by rubbing it on the skin to stimulate the melanin process.

At the moment, it has only been tested in mice and in skin samples, although the results suggest that it might even work for redheads, whose pale skin is due to a genetic mutation that prevents the skin from producing so much melanin.

The risk of a person having a melanoma doubles if he has had more than five sunburns. Over time, researchers want to combine this product with sunscreen for maximum protection against the sun's rays. Until then, the daily use of sunscreen number 15 or higher reduces the risk of developing melanoma by 50%.

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Reference:
IFLScience