Tan maximizer lotions - do they work?

[SRH]

I'm pale and freckly and resigned to the fact that I will never get a deep tan. But I've heard about Lancaster Tan Maximizer which is supposed to improve your chances of getting a tan by helping to increase the melanin in your skin. Has anyone tried it - or any other tan maximizers? Do they work or would I just be shelling out �20 for a bit of hype?

TIA

[tigwig]

I have never heard of it but I don't like the sound of it. If you are pale and freckly you are more at risk of catching cancer so anything that makes you tan more sounds quite dangerous. A tan is the skins way of showing you have damaged it and while this may sound boring I would rather use fake tan and stay safe.

[Curly13]

Last year I used a high factor sun protection cream and then used 'Nivea tan prolonging after sun', which you apply the same as any normal after sun product. It has a hint of fake tan in it & it really brings out your sun tan even if you think you havn't caught much that day.
Its around the same price as normal afer sun, or maybe a pound or two dearer and it works really well.

[SRH]

Cheers guys. Thanks for the concern - I'm aware of the risks and usually stay out of the sun and wear factor 30. Just wish that the odd times I'm out in the sun I could get a little colour. You can get the tan maximizers in high factors, so they still give you protection, but they claim to boost the levels of melanin in your skin - which in itself would protect the skin more. I'm just suspicious as to whether applying something to your skin could really soak in and have an effect on melanin production.