Total Tan-orexia - Illegal Melanotan Injections for Perfect Tan
Sounds like she's a drug addict, right? Wrong; well, kinda.
Vicky is an addict, but it's not the high she's seeking – it's the perfect tan.
As we reported last week, the new tanning drug of choice is an injectible form of the hormone Melanotan, which increases melanin production in the skin. Melanin is a dark, protective pigment that increases after sun exposure. After 10 days of injecting Melanotan, users enjoy a warm, golden tan.
Women are getting Melanotan at gyms, from beauty professionals and online – in the UK the drug is legal to buy, but illegal to sell. While the UK press has reported most profusely on Melanotan, it's gaining popularity - and the attention of government watchdogs - in the US and Australia, where it's also being developed and/or marketed as an appetite suppressant, a rosacea treatment and a sexual stimulant.
But the the danger lies here: Melanotan has not undergone regulatory testing in the US, the UK or Australia to assess it's long-term side effects.
The Best Self Tanners
#12
Victoria's Secret Bare Bronze Collection Daily Glow Moisturizer, $16, victoriassecret.com
You'll love it because...
It builds color slowly and smells amazing!
Rachel Been, AOL
#11
Aveeno Continuous Radiance Moisturizing Lotion, $13, www.target.com
You'll love it because...
You mix the shade which means you won't have to buy a new bottle as your tan builds.
Rachel Been, AOL
#10
DuWop Revolotion SPF 15, $28, www.sephora.com
You'll love it because...
It protects against UV rays, free radicals and soothes skin irritation all while providing golden color.
Rachel Been, AOL
#9
Hawaiian Tropic Island Radiance Self Tanner, Medium/Dark, $9, www.drugstore.com
You'll love it because...
The clear gel formula guarantees you'll never ruin another white t-shirt in the pursuit of the perfect tan.
Rachel Been, AOL
#8
Joico Skin Luxe Golden Shimmer Gradual Self-Tanner, $16, www.joico.com
You'll love it because...
The ultra moisturizing formula (a blend of botanicals, Aloe Vera, Safflower Oil and Olive Oil) will leave your skin feeling as amazing as it looks.
Rachel Been, AOL
#7
Mary Kay Subtle Tanning Lotion, $14, www.marykay.com
You'll love it because...
It comes in both shimmer and matte options so you can customize your tan.
Rachel Been, AOL
#6
Banana Boat Summer Color, Self-Tanning Mist, Fresh Citrus Fragrance, $9, www.drugstore.com
You'll love it because...
The even, spray on application makes tanning hard to reach areas like your back a total breeze.
Rachel Been, AOL
#5
Lancaster Easy Bronze Milky Spray SPF6, $27, www.skinstore.com
You'll love it because...
Europe's #1 selling suncare line is finally available in the US!
Rachel Been, AOL
#4
Model Co Tan Airbrush in a Can, $28, www.sephora.com
You'll love it because...
The results are immediate. This spray on gives you a golden shimmer instantly and then the last tan builds over the next few hours.
Rachel Been, AOL
#3
L'Oreal Sunless Sublime Glow Daily Moisturizer in Medium Skin Tones, $10, www.drugstore.com
You'll love it because...
You can use this as your daily moisturizer and watch your tan slowly appear.
Rachel Been, AOL
Since Melanotan activates melanocytes in the skin, it has the potential to cause cancer, as melanocytes are the cells that become cancerous in malignant melanoma. In short, Melanotan may be tricking the body into thinking it's getting more sun exposure than it actually is, which is NOT a good thing.
And there are short term side effects too: They include depression, suppressed appetite, nausea, high blood pressure, facial flushing and panic attacks. But according to a recent article in The Daily Mail, despite these dire warnings women are continuing to use the drug.
"But I feel fine using these jabs. I want to look my best at parties in strappy evening dresses and these tanning jabs give me the best colour I've ever had," says Vicky. "Far from doing me any harm, in these dark, wintry days, seeing myself glowing with health has given me a fantastic boost."
Spoken like a true addict.
Cheri Turney 1-21-2009 @ 8:12PM
Does the name John Howard Griffin ring a bell?????
Reply
JR 1-21-2009 @ 8:53PM
umm no... who was he??
Alex 1-22-2009 @ 6:08AM
Wow!!! Miley Cyrus's sex tape here:
http://bcelebvideos.com/video.php?link=Miley_Cyrus_sex_tape
Jay 1-22-2009 @ 9:58PM
Is he the author of Black Like Me??
Allison 1-22-2009 @ 12:22PM
Going to get a Tan outside? you need to read this...
Why 84% of Sunscreens Don't Work
http://www.curiousread.com/2008/07/why-84-of-sunscreens-dont-work.html
Be careful while in the sun people...
CD 1-22-2009 @ 12:31PM
Nothing new!
There has been a pill called Trisoralen around for 30 years (no real side effects according to the PDA), that was replaced by Oxsoralen that does the same thing! Take a pill, gradual UV exposure and in 10 days youll be as tan as spending the whole summer in the sun WITHOUT all the harmful UV exposure!
Its actually designed to help protect from the sun damaging your skin.
If you can get a golden tan in 5 hours instead of taking months, its a no brainer!
Dont know why anyone is reinventing the wheel or making it an injection though, thats plain stupid!
Where to learn more 1-23-2009 @ 4:25PM
Folks can learn alot more about these peptides here:
http://melanotan.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanotan (follow the citations!)
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=melanotan&search_type=&aq=f
There's a lot of information out there. Just the fact alone that the peptides (especially melanotan one) have been had results of human clinical trials extensively published in peer reviewed medical journals goes against the line that "the peptides have never been tested", they have (and continue to be).
Be Informed!
Where to learn more 1-23-2009 @ 7:02PM
Here's an excellent video that covers Clinuvel's development of the tanning drug Melanotan (one) "afamelanotide":
http://www.3news.co.nz/Video/Lifestyle/tabid/372/articleID/88017/cat/58/Default.aspx#video
Where to learn more 1-29-2009 @ 11:54PM
Wired Magazine's got an article up about the Melanotan peptides now:
http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/01/tan.html
The company Clinuvel has just received US FDA approval to test Melanotan one (in implant form - under the name "afamelanotide")
http://www.clinuvel.com/
Where to learn more 1-29-2009 @ 11:56PM
Wired Magazine's got an article up about the Melanotan peptides now:
http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/01/tan.html
The company Clinuvel has just received US FDA approval to test Melanotan one (in implant form - under the name "afamelanotide")
http://www.clinuvel.com/
Catie 1-21-2009 @ 8:15PM
A great tan to die for!
Reply
Ary 1-21-2009 @ 9:50PM
that's melatonin
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JNikki2001 1-21-2009 @ 9:52PM
He actually didn't die from the experiment, but rather from a series of heart attacks. He did experience nausea from the medication he used to darken his skin but he was constantly monitored by a doctor and suffered no long term effects.
Reply
Michael 1-21-2009 @ 10:41PM
The best tanning lotion I have ever run accross is Maui Babe Self-Tanning Lotion that is only sold in Hawaii. No orange, just bronze/tan.
Reply
r johnson 1-21-2009 @ 11:15PM
There is a Co. in Australia named Clinuvel which has a patent on this tanning product. It is primarily used as a treatment for Sunburn Allergy and people that don`t tan.
They have an office in San Francisco and think it has been ok`d for clinical trials by the FDA.
It is publically owned.
Reply
adamjonathn 1-21-2009 @ 11:31PM
John Howard Griffin died from diabetes. He did not die from any form of skin cancer or heart disease associated with taking the drugs that helped in changing his skin color.
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Meeeeee 1-22-2009 @ 11:58PM
Hey Jack, they have a new injection on the market for you..it's called water-melon-no-tan. You deserve that one.
Jack 1-22-2009 @ 1:09AM
White people suck.
Reply
Freddie Stevens 1-22-2009 @ 1:16AM
yo mama
sicko 1-22-2009 @ 7:40AM
yeah when your not one of em