Science

How does fake tan work, and why does it sometimes smell 'cookie-like'?

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 22/10/2026, 16:40:24 UTC.

Briefings

The provided evidence explains that real tans result from UV-triggered pigment production in living skin, which simultaneously increases the risk of skin cancer. This single mechanism accounts for both the cosmetic effect and the associated health hazard, establishing a direct link between tanning and cancer risk.

Key points

• Real tans are caused by UV-triggered pigment production in living skin.

Context

This finding clarifies the biological mechanism behind tanning, linking the cosmetic process directly to increased skin cancer risk through UV exposure.

Limitations

Evidence is limited to the single mechanism of UV-triggered pigment production; no data on specific chemical compounds, duration of exposure, or individual skin types is provided.

Generated by Bittrees-hosted qwen35-2b sha256:aaf42c8b7c3c on 22/10/2026, 16:42:49 UTC. Based on publisher-provided feed evidence; may not cover the full original article. Check the source for details.

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