What are 'melanotan' injections? Explaining the controversial tanning drug Dazed No, you don't need the 'Barbie drug' to tan, whatever TikTok says. Here's why melanotan II is so risky Doctors warn against tan injections Melanotan 1 (MT1) 10mg Peptide Origin Compounds 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 II Safety: Tanning Injection LIVV Natural