Tanning accelerator products are becoming more and more popular. But do they really work? How do they work, exactly? And are they safe? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at tanning accelerators to find out.
Do Tanning Accelerators Work?
There is some scientific evidence to suggest that tanning accelerators can indeed help you tan faster. A study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that a tyrosine-based tanning accelerator increased melanin production in human skin cells.
Another study looked at the effects of copper peptide-based tanning accelerators on melanogenesis (the production of melanin) in human skin cells. The researchers found that the copper peptide accelerated melanogenesis and also increased the size of melanosomes (melanin-containing organelles).
So, there is some evidence to suggest that tanning accelerators can help you tan faster by increasing melanin production in your skin cells.
How Do Indoor Tanning Accelerators Work?
One of the most significant features of indoor tan accelerators is that they work by accelerating the process of melanin production in your body. This melanin is produced by specialized cells called melanocytes, which are present throughout our skin. They produce a dark pigment, known as melanin, which helps to protect your skin against harmful UV rays and assists you with achieving a beautiful and healthy-looking tan. Indoor tanning accelerators speed up this process and cause more of these specialized cells to be activated at any given time. The intensity of the UV light will determine how quickly these cells are able to produce melanin for use in protecting the rest of your skin from further exposure to sunlight or other sources of UV rays. (more…)