The Informant

A popular tanning drug used by many of today’s top pros is called Trisoralen (generic name trioxsalen). This gives fair-skinned people the ability to produce more melanin and develop an unbelievably bronze tan. Many of today’s bodybuilding and physique competitors swear by the stuff and with good reason! Trisoralen is actually a prescription drug, but it’s available over the counter in Mexico and in many other countries. Many physicians prescribe it for people going on vacation who want help getting tanned instead of burned! This drug has a key part of the pre-contest prep for many people. Many models, actors and “adult entertainers” use it for a dark tan in a hurry.

How Does It Work?

Trisoralen helps increase the amount of melanin produced by melanocytes in response to ultraviolet light, but you don’t just take Trisoralen and get a dark tan-you need UV light to “activate” it. Trisoralen is considered medication, not a supplement; thus, it should be used only with the supervision of a doctor. You shouldn’t use more than 28 tablets per cycle without going on at least a 4-week “off cycle.” Many athletes take only two tablets (ten milligrams) two hours before each tanning session. Trisoralen does not completely prevent burning—it simply allows them to build up a darker tan more rapidly. They often start out with a small “dose” of UV light and work their way up. For example, if they don’t have a base tan and especially if they have fair skin, they start out with short periods of exposure to UV light—as little as ten minutes. The next day, they might increase exposure by a few minutes. However, if skin becomes slightly burned (pink instead of tan), they take a day off, stay out of the sun, and don’t take any Trisoralen.

Tanning Prescription

Remember, if you’re going to use use Trisoralen, only take it prior to UV exposure. Of course, you can’t develop a beautiful,
bronze tan in a matter of days—if you try, you’ll end up burning yourself, your skin will peel, you’ll look like crap, and you’ll have to start all over again. So be patient! As I already mentioned, Trisoralen is not available at your local health-food stores—you should ask your doctor about it.