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 Is this injectable tanning drug safe to use? 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 Health warning over banned tanning drug The Canberra Times Canberra, ACT I was minutes from death after taking 'Barbie drug' everyone needs to be warned