Melanotan What It Is and Its Relation to Skin Cancer Risks of Melanotan: TGA to issue fresh warning against 'Barbie drug' The Australian 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 That quick tan injection is NOT worth the risk., Melanotan peptide injections stimulate pigment cells, and its use has been linked to rapid changes in moles, including the potentially fatal skin View of Association of tanning injection with hypercortisolism, hyperglycaemia and ketosis in type 1 diabetes mellitus British Journal of Diabetes Melanotan II (Tan Jabs): Why They're Not Worth The Risk