Warning on tan spray
Tuesday August 2nd, 2011
Beauty conscious Brits are being sold a fake tanning substance with instructions to spray it up the nose, an official watchdog warned yesterday.
Ubertan
is meant to darken the skin - but is potentially dangerous and uses an
unlicensed substance, according to the Medicines and Healthcare products
Regulatory Agency.
One version contains an unlicensed herbal extract, forskolin, the MHRA said.
Seven retailers and websites have been ordered to stop selling and promoting the product, it said.
The spray is made from a substance called melanotan II, derived from a human hormone which increases production of the darkening pigment melanin in the skin.
David Carter, of the MHRA, said: "Putting your health on the line just in order to get a tan is just really not worth the risk.
"None of these products have been clinically tested and as a result there is no way of knowing just how serious the side effects could be, or the impact on your health.
"If you have this product at home do not use it again, throw it in the bin. And if you have used it and you have concerns then speak to your GP."
Tags: Dermatology | Traveller Health | UK News
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