The dangerous trend of nasal tanning sprays

The obsession with tanning leads some to put their health at risk, sometimes without even realizing it. The UK's Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has issued a stern warning to consumers about "dangerous and unregulated" tanning nasal sprays being marketed on social media. These products can cause nausea, vomiting, high blood pressure, and even changes in the shape and size of moles. Their long-term health effects are still unknown, but studies have shown a possible link to melanoma , a type of skin cancer.

These products have been on the market for a few years, but CTSI is warning of a new emerging trend: tanning nasal sprays in flavors like peach, bubblegum, grape, strawberry, and lime, being advertised by vendors on Facebook and TikTok. These same vendors are also selling tanning drops and gummies designed to be ingested .

"There is real concern that these products will be marketed to children, which could turn them into the next-generation must-have products, leading to a youth epidemic like the one we saw with disposable vapes ," the CTSI said in a press release.

Some of these products contain dangerous ingredients, including melanotan 2 , a synthetic hormone that can accelerate tanning but is not approved by health authorities . "Without mandatory regulation or safety assessment, these products could contain unknown contaminants and pose significant risks and hazards to the public," they add.

The CTSI recommends that consumers avoid any ingestible or inhaled tanning products and use safer tanning options, such as creams and sprays applied to the skin, purchased from trusted retailers.

Inhaling aerosols can irritate the respiratory tract , with possible symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, and nasal congestion. Repeated exposure, according to the CTSI, could lead to chronic respiratory problems.

Although it is illegal to sell medications containing melanotan 2 in the UK, as these tanning lotions are sold for cosmetic purposes, they fall outside this scope. However, they are not covered by British cosmetics regulations, meaning they are not subject to the same scrutiny as other over-the-counter beauty products.

"We are increasingly concerned about the use of nasal tanning injections and sprays and their potential link to melanoma skin cancer. These unregulated and illegal products not only pose serious health risks but also encourage harmful behaviors, especially among young people. We urge the public to consider the long-term impacts on their health and avoid using these substances altogether," warns Susanna Daniels, Executive Director of Melanoma Focus.