NASAL tanning sprays may increase the risk of melanoma skin cancer, it’s been warned.
The sprays – often sold on social media – claim to accelerate tanning and are often sniffed prior to, a known risk for .
Costing from £20 to £35, and have become a social media phenomenon.
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) is urging the public to avoid any product that is ‘inhaled or ingested’.
It says side effects include nausea, vomiting, , and .
Coughing, sneezing and nasal congestion due to irritation of the respiratory tract.
Other reported side effects include prolonged erections, facial flushing and changes in libido.
The sprays contains a substance known as melanotan II which when inhaled, reaches the bloodstream and may stimulate melanin production.
Activated melanin creates a tan but “may also encourage abnormal skin cell changes in response to UV exposure”;;, according to the Melanoma Fund.
The process is considered unsafe melanotan II is illegal in the UK.
But due to the product falling under cosmetics, rather than medicines, it is not as tightly regulated.
CTSI has found accounts on sites like and selling nasal tanning sprays available in flavours such as peach, bubblegum, and grape.
It fears these products are being marketed at children.
Susanna Daniels, CEO of Melanoma Focus, said: “We’re becoming increasingly concerned about the use of both nasal tanning sprays and and their potential links with
“These unregulated and illegal products not only pose serious health risks but also encourage harmful behaviours, particularly among young consumers.
“We urge the public to consider the long-term impacts on their health and avoid using these substances altogether.”;;
Gary Lipman, Chairman at the Sunbed Association, said: “Nasal sprays have absolutely no place in a professional tanning salon.
“We fully support CTSI’s campaign to heighten awareness of the dangers of using them.”;;
‘SCARRED FOR LIFE’
People using the nasal tanning sprays have publically told their stories in a bid to warn others off them.
, a former Miss Great Britain winner from,,says she bought on Instagram.
“Unfortunately, I decided to go to extra lengths and fell into the trend of nasal tan,”;; she said.
Jen used the £25 product twice and a dark brown mark appeared “out of absolutely nowhere”;; on her forehead, which hasn’t budged since.
The spray also made her feel incredibly sick. Jen described it as “actually horrific”;;, adding: “It scared the life out of me. It made me feel so nauseous and weird.”;;
Student Erin Rider she believes that a £32 nasal tanner she bought on TikTok caused her skin to erupt in painful spots, which have left permanent scarring.
She said: “The spots turned out to be cystic acne. I never linked the spots to the nasal sprays but when I put two and two together and Googled possible side-effects, I stopped taking it immediately.
“The acne eventually turned into pigmentation and my forehead was patchy with visible white marks.
“I would never leave the house without heavy make-up. I didn’t want to see people because of how awful my skin was. Five months on, it’s wrecked my skin for ever. The scarring is permanent.”;;
