With summer upon us and the Sun shining, getting that base tan is front and foremost for many Londoners.
But some are turning to harmful products in the form of nasal tanning sprays to give their tan a boost.
Nasal tanning sprays have been linked to skin cancer and respiratory problems, the Trading Standards office said this morning.
The self-tan industry is set to be valued at £746.3 million by 2027, according to the British Beauty Council, and the demand for these tan-enhancing sprays has rocketed thanks to social media apps and influencers.
With many looking for a way to boost their tans, nasal sprays have become the latest cosmetic trend, but they may pose more harm than good.
The question remains, what really are they? And why have they been linked to seriously dangerous side effects?
What are nasal tanning sprays?
Nasal tanning sprays contain synthetic hormones such as Melanotan II and are sprayed directly into the nostrils to stimulate the production of melanin, which darkens or tans the skin.
The nasal sprays are most commonly used in conjunction with sun exposure and tanning beds.
The sprays are often sold in fun flavours, such as peach, lime, and bubblegum, making them increasingly attractive to young shoppers.
They are usually sold for around £30 a pop, though cheaper alternatives are available.
Why are nasal sprays so dangerous? Can they cause cancer?
Long term health impacts of these sprays are not known, but the act of inhaling the spray can irritate the respiratory tract, causing coughing, nasal congestion, and sneezing.
It also believed that prolonged use can lead to chronic respiratory problems.
According to the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, the sprays can cause nausea, vomiting, high blood, pressure, and more concerningly, changes in mole shapes and size.
The change in moles has had cancer charities worried that the nasal tanning sprays could be linked to cancer.
Susanna Daniels, from cancer charity Melanoma Focus told the BBC that was “becoming increasingly concerned about the use of both nasal tanning sprays and tanning injections and their potential links with melanoma skin cancer.”
One user of nasal tanning sprays, Edith Eagle, found herself hospitalised in Fuerteventura in April 2023 after she had an allergic reaction to the product.
She told the BBC that she felt like she was suffocating and drowning within her own body.
Eagle’s 16-year-old daughter had also used the nasal tanning sprays after seeing them advertised online, but has vowed not to use them again.
Are nasal tanning sprays regulated?
It is illegal to sell medicinal products containing Melanotan II in the UK, however as the tanning spray is sold cosmetically, it falls outside that remit.
They are also not covered by UK cosmetic regulations, so they are not subjected to the same scrutiny as other over-the-counter beauty products.
Richard Knight, the lead officer for cosmetics and beauty at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, said: “Unlike cosmetic products, nasal tanning sprays are unlikely to have had expert safety assessment, and use of relevant health warnings and instructions for safe use are rare. This means that no one, including influencers, can truly know the risks of using these quasi-medical potions.”
What should you do if you have nasal tanning sprays or know someone selling them?
Sunbed Association chairman Gary Lipman said the Sunbed Association “fully support[s] the CTSI’s campaign to heighten awareness of the dangers of using [nasal tanning sprays]
“The end goal must be to eradicate access to these illegal and unregulated products.”
Consumers can report adverse reactions and/or suspicious cosmetic products to the Trading Standards immediately via the free Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133
The public are being advised to consider the impact of these products and to avoid using the substances altogether.
