MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

New sun-protection pill arrives in Chile

A new kind of sun protection has arrived in Chile, in the form of capsules that can be taken orally once a day to increase the skin's tolerance to ultraviolet (UV) rays. The pill, called “Tan Optimizer,” is now available in Chile's pharmacies.

The new pill, developed by a Danish company, stimulates skin cells to produce the pigment melanin, which increases the skin's resistance to UV radiation. It also helps to produce a deep tan with a minimum exposure to the sun.

Tan Optimizer, which has been available in Europe for some time, was presented at Chile's Annual Dermatology Conference that took place in Santiago recently, along with other innovations in skin protection.

"One of the latest ways to look after skin is the use of antioxidants such as vitamins A, E and C, betacarotenes, and Q10 coenzyme," said dermatologist Cecilia Orlandi. "And now we're also seeing forms of photo-protection that can be taken orally."

While the new product is regarded as an option for those who are not in the habit of using protective lotions, experts still recommend using sunscreen and staying in the shade during the afternoon when the sun is at its strongest.

The pill can be taken by anyone over the age of 15, but is not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It has been received successfully in Europe, and is to be marketed in the U.S. in 2007.

The University of Chile is to begin a clinical study to see how the pill works on Chilean skin. While dark-skinned people have the advantage of a greater resistance to sun damage, they often react differently to cosmetics and medicines.

The issue of sun protection is an important one in Chile, which has one of the world's highest rates of skin cancer, due to the high amount of harmful ultraviolet B radiation. In some regions of Chile, the UV index often reaches 18 or 20, almost double the maximum level on the World Health Organization's current scale for measuring radiation. Experts recently proposed an extension of the scale.

"We have to adapt this scale to our reality," said Orietta Gómez, president of the Chilean Dermatology Society. "It's important to know that we have a lot more radiation in this part of the world. While we've had success with sun-awareness campaigns, we still need to make young people more aware, as they're still exposing themselves to the sun too much." The Santiago Times