People are 'carrotmaxxing' and 'shrimpmaxxing' for tanner skin
New York Post • • technology
Key Points:
- Best friends Bethany Ferguson and Whit Frink use carotenoid supplements containing beta-carotene, astaxanthin, and lycopene to achieve a natural-looking tan without sun exposure, favoring a pill form for convenience.
- Carotenoids are natural pigments found in foods like carrots, shrimp, and tomatoes that can accumulate in the skin, causing a color change known as carotenemia or lycopenemia, which is harmless and reversible.
- Experts caution that while consuming carotenoid-rich foods is safe, high-dose supplements may pose health risks such as toxicity and inflammation, and supplements are not strictly regulated for safety or dosage accuracy.
- Dermatologists and dietitians recommend self-tanners over carotenoid supplements for a controlled and appealing tan, advising people to get nutrients from food rather than pills to avoid potential side effects.
- Despite some enthusiasm for carotenoid-based tanning, the effect can be uneven and is not a substitute for a real tan produced by sun exposure, though it may be a safer alternative to UV tanning methods.
