A new tanning cream may ward off skin cancer by providing a “real” sunless tan:
The molecule at the heart of the cream recreates a process that occurs naturally when ultraviolet sunlight strikes skin cells. The cells respond differently depending on a person’s skin type. For people who tan well, the sun’s ultraviolet rays initially harm DNA in the skin, but this is followed by a robust tanning that curbs the DNA damage.For lousy tanners, even a light tan can inflict significant DNA damage that can lead to cancers like melanoma by causing pigment-making skin cells known as melanocytes to begin dividing rampantly. The researchers say a darkening in pigmentation can help these people reduce that risk.
“Our strategy turns on pigment but doesn’t touch the DNA,” said Fisher. “This actually may represent a broader strategy to prevent the damage that UV causes in the skin, shielding the skin in ways that traditional sunscreens cannot.”