Understanding Injection Tan and Melanotan 2 No, you don't need the 'Barbie drug' to tan, whatever TikTok says. Here's why melanotan II is so risky Your body already makes a hormone that tells your skin to tan. Melanotan 2 is a synthetic peptide engineered to mimic that hormone but in a version that's more potent and Melanotan is not a tan. It's an unregulated peptide with real risk. As a dermatologist, here's the reality: It has been linked to new and changing moles including cases of PDF] Melanotan Induced Hyperpigmentation of Oral Soft Tissues Semantic Scholar Melanotan II: Tanning injections, nasal sprays harmful to health