Melanotan (also known as tanning nasals, tanning peptides, the ‘barbie drug’ or MT2)

NO forms of melanotan-II nasal sprays (often called tanning nasals, tanning peptides, ‘the barbie drug’ or MT2) and injections have been approved for human use in the UK and should NOT be used. 

What is melanotan?

Melanotan-II is an artificial hormone that has not been tested for quality nor safety and is not approved for human use. It works by stimulating melanocytes (pigment producing cells) to produce more melanin which darkens the skin. It is either injected into the skin or inhaled up the nose. Melanotan mimics a natural hormone and it is non-selective which means that it can affect other parts of the body and can cause various side-effects such as breathing difficulties, nausea and vomiting, muscle and kidney problems and there are concerns about increased risk of melanomas.

Our 2025 research found that 20% of British people have used illegal injections or nasal sprays to intensify their suntans. [1] The health risks associated with these tanning methods are increasingly coming to light and no forms of melanotan-II have been approved for human use in the UK. [2]

Trading Standards has issued a warning about nasal tanning sprays and the potential health problems they could cause people who have used them. [3] It has also been found by a BBC report (2022) that the products contain multiple impurities and we don’t know what further problems this can cause. [4]

A bottle of nasal spray

There is no such thing as a ‘safe tan’ when it comes to UV radiation from the sun and sunbeds. If you really desire a tanned look, then the only safe way to do this is by getting a spray tan or using a reputable bottled fake tan product. Learn more about spray tan and fake tans, here. 

Relevant References:

[1]Melanoma Focus. A third of UK 16-17 year olds are using sunbeds (2025). https://melanomafocus.org/news-blog/a-third-of-uk-16-17-year-olds-are-using-sunbeds/

[2]Melanotan-II is a is an unlicensed and largely untested form of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, which causes pigmentation (tanning) of human skin: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/melanotan-ii Melanotan is made in different forms, including as a nasal spray and as an injection (‘tan jab’ or ‘tanning injections’). https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/sun-uv-and-cancer/fake-tan-and-melanotan-injections

[3] BBC News. Warning over ‘unlicensed’ nasal tanning sprays (2025) https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy37d0nwy9o

[4]BBC News. Dangerous’ tanning products promoted by influencers (2022). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aldu1zSvUEI