What is the medicine that tans your skin?

Author: Ms. Rafaela Kihn Sr.  |  Last update: Sunday, September 21, 2025

Tanning pills claim to tint the skin by using color additives, such as canthaxanthin. Once swallowed, the additives in the pills travel through the body and typically turn the skin an orange-like color. It's important to know there are no pills approved for the purpose of tanning by the FDA.

What medication is used to darken skin?

Melanotan is similar to a substance in our bodies, called "melanocyte-stimulating hormone." This hormone increases the production of skin-darkening pigments.

Is there any medicine for tanning?

Some people may wish to look more tan but have concerns about the harmful effects of sun exposure. Tanning pills may help people darken or color their skin without the sun damage. However, results vary, and people may not be able to achieve their desired skin tone. The FDA has not currently approved any tanning pills.

What is the chemical in your skin that tans?

The pigment that is produced is called melanin. These melanocyte cells reside deep in the outer layer of the skin (dermis) and also account for the skin's natural coloration. Light-skinned people have fewer melanocyte cells. Dark-skinned people have more melanocyte cells.

What is the oral medicine for tanning?

How Tanning Tablet works. Tanning 25mg Tablet is a photosensitive medication used with UV-A rays. It works by activating certain skin cells (melanocytes) and helps repigment the discolored, white patches in vitiligo. Tanning 25mg Tablet also slows down the rapid growth of skin cells in psoriasis.

SUNLESS TANNER CHANGE| EU RESTRICTS DHA 😮 @DrDrayzday

Is there a pill you can take to get tan?

In their quest for the perfect tan, some people may look for a "magic pill" that will help them achieve this with minimal exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. There are no such pills approved for this purpose.

What are the pills that make you look tan?

Tanning pills claim to tint the skin by using color additives, such as canthaxanthin. Once swallowed, the additives in the pills travel through the body and typically turn the skin an orange-like color. It's important to know there are no pills approved for the purpose of tanning by the FDA.

How to make skin darker permanently?

Currently, no safe or proven method exists to increase melanin – the pigment, or color, in a person's skin, hair, and eyes. A person's genetics determine their natural melanin levels and skin color. In general, people who have darker skin tones have more melanin than those with lighter skin tones.

Is DHA in self tanners bad for you?

DHA and erythrulose were found in studies to have some unwanted side effects. DHA is FDA approved for topical use – but the FDA advises avoiding inhaling it (like with spray tans) and using it near mucus membranes (like eyes, nose and mouth). Here you can read more from the FDA.

What actually tans your skin?

Once skin is exposed to UV radiation, it increases the production of melanin in an attempt to protect the skin from further damage. Melanin is the same pigment that colors your hair, eyes, and skin. The increase in melanin may cause your skin tone to darken over the next 48 hours.

What vitamin helps you tan?

The best known of all is certainly beta-carotene. It is the precursor of vitamin A that stimulates the production of melanin and that helps minimize the aggressive action of sunlight on the skin.

What medication increases melanin?

Nitisinone increases melanin in people with albinism | National Institutes of Health (NIH)

What chemical makes your skin darker?

Melanin is a substance in your body that produces hair, eye and skin pigmentation. The more melanin you produce, the darker your eyes, hair and skin will be. The amount of melanin in your body depends on a few different factors, including genetics and how much sun exposure your ancestral population had.

Is there a vitamin that darkens skin?

The best vitamins to use for overall skin health are vitamins C, E, B12, and A. Although vitamin D is essential for skin health, its primary role is the promotion of melanin formation, which may cause more skin darkening.

What is the new tanning drug?

Melanotan-II is a synthetic version of the naturally ocurring hormone α-melanocyte stimulating hormone. This means the drug mimics the body's hormone that stimulates production of the pigment melanin. This is what promotes skin darkening or tanning, even in people with little melanin.

Does DHA age you?

Specifically, DHA exposure was linked with oxidative stress, which is associated with chronic diseases such as cancer, and the creation of advanced glycation end products, or AGEs, which are associated with skin aging.

Do dermatologists recommend self-tanners?

If you're a fan of fake tanning, we come bearing good news. The common consensus among dermatologists is that self-tanners are a safe way to achieve a golden glow. Particularly when compared with the very real risk of unprotected sun exposure.

Is Jergens self-tanner bad for you?

The answer is YES. Sunless tanners are totally safe. They work through a simple sugar (DHA) that attaches to amino acids in the top layer of skin and causes darkening of the skin cells, resulting in a natural-looking tan.

Can I permanently tan my skin?

No. You can not permanently darken your skin through tanning. Nor should it have such a nice term as tanning. It is deliberately damaging your skin by exposing yourself to DNA damaging ultra-violet radiation, you know, the stuff you are told to wear sunscreen against.

What is the healthiest way to darken your skin?

Tanning in Natural Sunlight

Spending time outdoors isn't only a great way to get a tan, it's also beneficial to your health. Being outside is the most natural and healthy way to tan your skin, which is why you'll get the most natural results.

What pills darken skin?

Medications that can cause drug-induced pigmentation include:
  • Antimalarials.
  • Chemotherapeutic agents.
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Antipsychotics.
  • Amiodarone.
  • Anticonvulsants.
  • Minocycline.
  • Heavy metals.

How to get a good fake tan at home?

6 Steps to the Perfect Tan
  1. Shower, exfoliate and shave at least 12 hours prior to tanning. ...
  2. Only moisturize these areas. ...
  3. Dampen your tanning mitt. ...
  4. Don't skimp on product! ...
  5. Work in quick, circular motions. ...
  6. Minimize room for error with this finishing touch.

Does vitamin D make you tan?

What does seem to be the general consensus though in answer to the question, does taking vitamin D help you tan, is that whilst it's probably unlikely that vitamin D supplements darken the skin, being exposed to sunlight helps us to manufacture vitamin D, and in this process, we may also get a tan.

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