New drug could tan skin without sun exposure
As much as we ~love~ to soak up the sun when it arrives, it's no secret that exposure to UV Rays can be seriously damaging to the skin. But imagine if it was possible to get a great tan, without the need for sun light.
Well, after 10 years of research, this could soon become reality, as scientists have developed with a drug that could change the skin's pigment, potentially reducing the risk of skin cancer.
In a follow-up to their 2006 study, researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have developed a clever cream which is applied to the skin. The aim of the cream is to stimulate the cells that produce the dark melanin pigment, which absorbs ultraviolet light and acts as a natural sun block.
In tests on skin samples and mice, the results, published in the journal Cell Reports, showed the drug triggered the process of making melanin, which was able to block harmful UV rays. There was also evidence to suggest it would even work on red-heads, who can be particularly susceptible to the damaging effects of the sun.
The scientists hope that this break-through could help to prevent skin cancer in the future, but they stressed that further tests are needed to protect humans from potential side-effects.
This may lead to new ways of protecting against UV-induced skin damage and cancer formation
“We are excited about the possibility of inducing dark pigment production in human skin without a need for either systemic exposure to a drug or UV exposure to the skin,” Dr David Fisher, chief of the Department of Dermatology at MGH, said.
He added: “We need to conduct safety studies, which are always essential with potential new treatment compounds, and better understand the actions of these agents. But it’s possible they may lead to new ways of protecting against UV-induced skin damage and cancer formation.”
Self-tanning products are used by many as a safe alternative to sun-bathing, but Dr Fisher has highlighted that his team wasn't interested in making a another cosmetic. Speaking to the BBC, he said: "Our real goal is a novel strategy for protecting skin from UV radiation and cancer.
"Dark pigment is associated with a lower risk of all forms of skin cancer - that would be really huge."
In the future, the scientists hope to create a cream that develops a tan without exposure to sunlight but which also absorbs harmful UV rays, like traditional sun screens.
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