A dermatologist has issued a serious warning about the growing use of Melanotan II, an illegal tanning drug that is unlicensed and unregulated in the UK and not FDA-approved in the United States, after dramatic before-and-after photos shared by a Reddit user went viral and reignited public interest in the substance.
Melanotan II works by stimulating pigment cells in the skin to produce more melanin, making the skin appear darker. It comes in the form of either a nasal spray or an injection and has attracted a growing following among people seeking a faster, deeper tan without prolonged sun exposure. Data from Melanoma Focus revealed that 15 percent of people in Wales reported using illegal injections or nasal sprays to intensify their tans, suggesting the drug is far more widespread than many people realise.
The Reddit user who sparked fresh attention around the drug shared striking photos documenting years of use, revealing a dramatic transformation in his skin tone. In posts accompanying the images, he warned that the drug offers no sun protection whatsoever and that users need to avoid sun exposure entirely for the first two weeks of taking it while their body adjusts. He also advised anyone using it to monitor their moles closely, noting that changes in size or shape can become harder to spot against darkened skin.
A study published by the British Journal of Dermatology, which examined 28 people aged between 18 and 64, found commonly reported side effects included nausea, reversible darkening of moles and an increase in libido or erections. Two more serious potential complications were also identified: dysplastic naevi, which are unusual but non-cancerous moles, and renal infarction, a dangerous interruption of blood flow to the kidneys that constitutes a medical emergency requiring urgent hospital treatment.
Other side effects listed by WebMD include uneven skin tone, facial flushing, headaches, reduced appetite, painful prolonged erections that can permanently damage the penis, and melanoma.
Dermatologist and content creator Dr Dustin Portela has now weighed in on the risks, making clear that one particular development causes him and his fellow skincare experts serious alarm. While he stopped short of encouraging use, he urged anyone already taking it to seek regular checks from a qualified dermatologist, noting that the majority of people purchasing the substance are buying it from entirely unregulated websites where it is manufactured in foreign countries with no guarantees of safety or purity.
The drug remains illegal to sell in the UK and is not approved for any medical use in the US, though it was recently removed from the FDA's restrictive Category 2 list. Despite this, its popularity continues to grow, driven largely by social media and the appeal of quick results.
As Dr Portela warned: "If you have existing moles or freckles, they will get darker. There are case reports of people developing melanoma while taking Melanotan. I'm not encouraging its use. Most people are buying it from unregulated websites where the product is being made in a foreign country and you can't guarantee the safety or purity of the product. When moles begin to pop up all over the body, that is when we become super concerned, since this is when melanocytes get more active and can increase the risk of melanoma."
