So I was stocking up on all my anti-tan products for my upcoming holidays to somewhere hot and sunny.
I was advised that I should supplement my sun-block with a “tan accelerator” - the idea was that this product would raise the melanin to the surface of my skin offering more sun protection than just a plain old sunscreen.
Well, I read the package and it says right on it that it’s for darkly complected persons, or those with a substantial base tan. Now, those of you who’ve met me can attest that I’m pretty much fish-belly white.
So - does this make sense to ANYBODY?!?!?!
It should be noted that the person who told me this is an older woman, who has that leathery I-lie-in-the-sun-even-in-February-and-now-I-have-skin-like-a-boot, type of gals - obviously a sun worshiper.
Now, not to be mean, but I really don’t want my skin to look like hers - ever- so I’m wondering about the wisdom of taking her advice.
Anyhoo - does this make sense? An added accelerator will improve the sun protection I’m getting?
As an FYI - I spent about $100 - at cost - on sun protection products so I’m fairly well prepared. But if this accelerator business will help, I’ll get it.
This makes zero sense to me. Especially why you would consider it since even its own label description says it’s not for you. Forget about it.
Accelerator? I use that to get a tan. While it is better than using nothing at all, it usually has a very low spf (4 or something) and is meant to keep you from burning while cooking you to a nice golden brown. Getting tips about suntan lotion from a skin cancer statistic waiting to happen is like letting Tammy Faye give you a makeover at the cosmetics counter. Don’t buy it.
There are a handful of active ingredients that might be billed as “tan accelerators.” Some, like DHA, are fairly harmless – it reacts with keratin to form a skin stain. Melanin is not involved, and there is no sun protection benefit.
Most chemicals that actually enhance melanin production in any way are toxic, and should not be used. In addition, many of these compounds increase photosensitivity, and should not be used when sun bathing, nor by light-skinned people.
Finally, there is no evidence that the small amount of melanin produced by light-skinned people in response to drugs or sunlight has any protective effect against skin cancer or skin damage. Tanning products are only suitable for “sunless tanning”; in the sun, your only recourse is sunscreen.
See, this is what I was thinking. I had never heard of using an accelerator for protection. And I asked the pharmacist at the store and he thought it was pretty wack too.
I just wanted to double check in case I was missing something. FWIW, I can offer fabulous advice about sunscreens of all descriptions. But an accelerator - I got nuthin’.
Also, it said right on the bottle that it offered no sun protection.
I think the woman is wack.