Tanning Injections onsale in Preston

ILLEGAL tanning injections are allegedly being sold under the counter in beauty salons and gyms across Central Lancashire.

The unlicensed tanning drug, Melanotan is still undergoing clinical trials and has not been tested for safety.

A city centre beauty salon, an Ashton-based sunbed shop, and a gym in Leyland are all reportedly selling Melanoton to their customers.

A 16-year-old girl was offered the product whilst exercising at a gym in Leyland. Her mother rang a Preston beauty salon for advice and asked the manager if the drug was available across Lancashire.

The 49-year-old salon owner said: “I couldn’t give her any information. I would certainly not recommend it to anybody.”

Some salons in Preston have received an A4 glossy leaflet advertising the drug for as little as £25 for a month’s supply. Contact details were given, despite the sellers facing the risk of prosecution for marketing the product.

UK websites continue to advertise the drug. Consumers can also purchase the tanning product online from international websites offering it as Melanotan I and Melanotan II.

EPITAN

EpiTan, the company which developed the drug for the treatment of skin cancer, purports Melanotan offers sun protection for those with fair-skin.

The Australian pharmaceutical company claims Melanin increases the pigment of the skin, therefore protecting skin against sunburn.

Melanotan is sold in powder form which is then diluted with prescription-only bacteriostatic water. After this, it can be self-injected to produce an all-over tan.

Users inject themselves in the stomach daily (usually lasting 10 days) until they have achieved the desired colour. The tan is maintained through a weekly ‘top-up’ boost.

WARNING

The tanning hormone is marketed as ‘safe’ and effective’ and yet the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has not tested the unlicensed drug.

David Carter, head of the Medicines Borderline Section said: “We are warning people not to use this product.”

SIDE EFFECTS

MHRA warns: “The side effects could be extremely serious.” The effects have not been officially documented, but websites and online forums list various reactions.

These include:

• Increased sex drive
• Nausea
  
• Appetite suppression
• Flushing
• Skin pigmentation
• Headaches
  
• Lethargy and dizziness
• Panic attacks
• Increase blood pressure
• New mole appearance and freckles darkening

REACTION

A male worker at Tropical Tanning solarium, Aston-on-Ribble has suggested the injections could cause long-term liver and kidney damage.

He condemned those selling the drugs:

“They are sold under false pretences by unscrupulous people to young girls. Everyone needs be wary of the injections.”

In contrast, Emma who works at the same shop said she used the drug for two years and experienced no side effects. She said:

“I was fine when I took them but the effects will be different for everyone. I saw an immediate effect and developed a deep tan.”

But a beauty therapist from Clarelle Beauty, Penwortham advised those considering using the injections to think carefully before purchasing them.

Julie Simpson, 31 said: “Self-injecting is never a good idea. It’s a dangerous procedure and shouldn’t be done by people who are untrained.”

(Photograph courtesy of Flickr)

NEEDLES

The NHS warns self-injecting the drug risks needle injuries, such as skin and tissue damage.

Users risk contracting viruses and infection through using dirty needles. Friends have been injecting each other with Melanotan, leading to a problem in cross-contamination.

The MHRA warned: “Needles used to inject could also carry bodily fluids, which can pass infections such as HIV and hepatitis on to other people.”

Anyone who has used the injections should contact their GP immediately.

Links: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=fDZmNFqcmQw

Listen here to an interview with a 49-year-old beauty salon manager, based in Preston.