Melanotan peptide might seem like the cool thing to doit makes you look tan., But these unregulated injections come with real risks., They can cause unpredictable skin changes, including darkening of Nasal Tanning Sprays: Illuminating the Risks of a Popular TikTok Trend MDedge 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 longer lasting than Brits buy 17 illegal 'Barbie' tanning injections that 'lead to kidney failure, brain swelling and hallucinations' Don't risk using tanning products containing melanotan Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Melanotan II, Barbie drug: Illegal injection could slowly kill people desperate for a tan news.com.au Australia's leading news site for latest headlines