There’s nothing stopping our love affair with getting the perfect tan. There’s something about sun kissed golden glowing skin that always has us finding new and improved ways of achieving that all over glow. But be warned! There are tanning products out there that can pose serious risks to your health, and none more so than a drug called Melatan. Melatan, dubbed the ‘tan jab’ or ‘the Barbie drug’ is illegal to sell in the UK and is banned in many other countries. The drug is a synthetic hormone, which is injected into the skin to increase the production of Melanin. Melanin is the pigment in the skin which gives colour to skin.

Reported side effects of Melatan are, loss of appetite, nausea, hot flushes and more worryingly cancer. As it is an illegal drug, it has not gone through the rigorous safety tests by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) which would make it safe for public use. So the message is clear! Stay away from Melatan it’s really not worth the risk to your health.

There’s only one safe way of getting a tan, and that’s to fake it using lotions, creams, spays and make up.

Creams – Heralded by the beauty experts at Marie Claire, Avon’s Anew range has an innovative self tanning moisturizer Dial-A-Glow which gives a custom, natural looking glow, with protection from ageing UVA/UVB rays. Dial up tube delivers increasing levels of self-tan, for a gradual glow.

Sprays – Spray tanning salons are popping up everywhere and are a great alternative to the damaging sun beds. There’s even options to get a mobile beauticians to come and spay tan you in the comfort of your home. Directories will help you locate a salon a stone’s throw away from you.

Make-up – Selecting the right make up to highlight and illuminate a natural looking glow and shimmer can be achieved using Arabian Glow products. Whether it’s pressed powder, bronzing pearl’s or brick, there’s a product to suit all beauty needs.

Stick to these tried and tested methods, and avoid the nasty effects of illegal drugs…