Thousands of Kiwis would have spent today outside soaking up the sun. As a result, many tonight will be tending badly burnt skin and would have put themselves at serious risk of skin cancer.
Now a new Australian drug claims to provide a natural tan without the need for sun, or the use of solariums or a bottle.
It means fair skinned people can become bronzed while avoiding the risks associated with skin cancer.
The size of a grain of rice, this implant stimulates and increases the skin's pigmentation. International trials have found skin becomes visibly darker in as little as 48 hours.
“We've go the drug that brings about and activates pigmentation and melanin in same fashion as we would develop under sunny conditions in summer,” says Chief Executive of Clinuve, Dr Philippe Wolgen.
Each dose lasts 60 days. Then you return to your natural colourings.
If it is approved by the Australian government the drug will only be administered by a doctor.
While the drug's cosmetic benefits will be attractive to many, its use in treating severe UV related skin diseases has doctors excited.
“The effect would be equated to having a shade cloth over you all the time,” says dermatologist Dr George Varigos.
Melbourne Hospital has more than 20 patients trialling the drug. Transplant patients who are more susceptible to skin cancers because of weakened immune systems have been the first to give it a go.
So far it has proved successful. Interim results just revealed show 14 patients suffering erythropoietic protoporphyria - a genetic disorder causing UV and light intolerance in the skin - achieved good outcomes.
So it could be that sunbaking, fake tans and solariums become things of the past. As could a life time of pain and suffering for anyone sensitive to sunlight.
AP