I've heard of melanin shots for darkening the skin pigment to offset the redness of rosacea, but supposedly these shots are not yet approved. I was wondering if anyone's tried another approach, like taking melanin orally, and if so, what were the results?  Any side effects? Thanks, Susan

Thanks for the _link_, Artist.  It's a shame they haven't been able to figure out something safe and effective for skin pigment.  I used to tan flawlessly as a child, but I'm pathetically pale and sun-sensitive as an adult.  *sigh*  I guess it's up to tanning creams for me, but they don't seem to last on me.  

Hi Susan, As Artist says, none of the advertised ways of faking a tan through the use of pills or injections has yet been PROVEN safe, and the FDA regards tanning pills as potentially dangerous. (BTW  Selmedica also pushes tanning pills. Not a surprise.) You also asked if anyone's tried another approach, like taking melanin orally, and if so, what were the results? Any side effects? http://www.sunless.com/safe/tanningpillsdontwork.php This _link_ gives a simple explanation about drugs that affect melanogenesis. It mentions that Melanotan is so far effective only when administered by injection, not orally . Any claim by a tanning pill manufacturer that their pill ingredients stimulate the production of melanin is false. Not even Melanotan, which has been proven to stimulate melanin when taken by injection, will do this when taken orally. Kind regards, Aurelia