It’s commonly known that the only healthy tan is one that’s sprayed on. However, all of that may change as scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have discovered a new topical drug that darkens the skin naturally and safely, without the need for sun exposure.
Researchers from the study published their findings in the June 13 issue of Cell Reports, and have high hopes for the discovery. Chief of the Department of Dermatology at MGH, David E Fisher, said: “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.”
As well as its potential for cosmetic use, it’s hoped that the finding could lead the way to further discoveries in UV protection and minimising skin-cancer risk.
The discovered compound, containing small-molecule salt-inducible kinases (SIK) inhibitors, is able to produce a “significant darkening" of the skin after eight days of daily application. In separate earlier studies published in 2006, an SIK inhibitor was found to create skin darkening in a strain of red-haired mice, whose skin turned virtually black within a few days of applying the compound. The colour gradually decreased after application was stopped.
Testing of the drug continues.
