Want a tan without using sunbeds?

Scientists have developed a tiny implant that be placed under the skin to give a three-month tan without using sunbeds, it emerged today. The capsule is no bigger than a grain of rice but it is implanted under the skin and stimulates the production of melanin. 

The naturally occurring pigment controls the colour of the skin and how much UV radiation is absorbed. By releasing the chemical, the skin would become darker and could resemble a healthy bronzed tan. Although the implant was initially developed by medics in order to alleviate skin conditions, experts believe it could be taken up by the beauty industry. 

An estimated three million people a year use sunbeds and any products that could improve tanning are likely to be popular. Millions more use spray tans. Lesley Rhodes, professor of experimental dermatology at Manchester University, said that the implant could become an alternative method of tanning. 'Potentially, it does offer an alternative to commercial sunscreens and there are lots of senior scientists who are convinced it's safe,' she told the Times. 

Professor Rhodes stressed that more research into the long-tern side-effects of using the implant would been to be done until it could be rolled out onto the market. The makers of the chip, Clinuvel, said they developed it to help patients who suffer from skin disorders. The chemical implant would also help those organ transplant patients whose anti-rejection drugs increase the risk of skin cancer. The implant has received recognition from Cancer Research UK. 

They have acknowledged its potential to prevent malignant skin cancer and reduce the risks of sunbeds. A statement on the Clinuvel claims: 'To date, Clinuvel has spent over $80 million developing the Scenesse implant drug product as a therapeutic photoprotective drug for patients who are most at risk from UV and sun exposure. 

'Scenesse has a relatively short half life (less than 50 minutes) and trials to date have raised no serious safety concerns; thus far the drug is well tolerated by patients. The implant drug product has been chosen for its ease of use in dermatology.' If the implant is used in the cosmetics industry, it would be following in the footsteps of Botox, which started out as a muscle relaxant before being used in anti-wrinkle treatment.