New drug prompts skin tanning response without risk of damage

A new method of tanning the skin without exposing it to damaging ultraviolet radiation has been developed by researchers.

Scientists from Massachusetts General Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have found a way of activating the tanning and pigmentation pathways of cultured human skin that is physiologically identical to ultraviolet-induced pigmentation, without the risk of DNA damage.

This was achieved using a new class of inhibitor therapies that block the action of salt-inducible kinases, natural enzymes that would otherwise interrupt the production of the protective dark pigment called eumelanin.

The treatment was able to induce significant darkening following eight days of daily topical administration, suggesting this approach could be used to protect against ultraviolet-induced skin damage and cancer formation.

Dr David Fisher, chief of the department of dermatology at Massachusetts General Hospital, 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 ultraviolet exposure to the skin."

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