Credit: Reddit
Man Who Used Melanotan II For Years Issues Warning For Those Considering Trying It
A man who used Melanotan II for years has issued a warning for anyone who’s considering trying it.
The pursuit of a year-round tan has led some people away from traditional fake tans and toward far more controversial alternatives.
While self-tanning lotions and sprays remain the safest cosmetic option, a growing online community has turned to Melanotan II, an unlicensed synthetic peptide often promoted as a shortcut to darker skin.
Despite being widely discussed across social media and internet forums, Melanotan II has never been approved for cosmetic tanning.
Health experts have repeatedly warned against using the substance, which is illegal to sell in many countries and has not undergone the rigorous testing required for licensed medicines.
Now, a man who claims to have used the drug for nearly two decades is warning others that one of the biggest mistakes beginners make could leave them at greater risk of sun damage.
What is Melanotan II?
Melanotan II is a synthetic peptide originally developed for research into skin pigmentation and UV-related skin damage.
The drug works by mimicking alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, a naturally occurring hormone that triggers the body to produce melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color.
As melanin levels increase, users typically develop darker skin pigmentation, particularly when they are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light.
Although it has gained popularity online under nicknames including the ‘Barbie drug’ and ‘vacation peptide,’ Melanotan II has never been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the UK‘s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Instead, it continues to circulate through unregulated online sellers, often as injectable products or nasal sprays.
Because it is sold outside regulated pharmaceutical channels, experts warn users often have no way of knowing exactly what ingredients the products contain or whether they have been manufactured safely.
Man shares dramatic transformation
One of the internet’s most well-known Melanotan II users is an anonymous Reddit poster who goes by the username n3glv.
The man claims he has been injecting the peptide for roughly 17 years and has regularly documented his transformation in the Reddit community dedicated to Melanotan II.
His before-and-after photos show his skin tone becoming dramatically darker over the years, sparking widespread debate online.
While some users were fascinated by the results, others reacted with concern.
One commenter wrote: “Yikes bro.”
Another added: “I’ll be the first to say it since nobody else is, this looks f***ing awful man. What are you doing to yourself?”
Others accused the Reddit user of ‘racefishing’ after he admitted the complexion he was attempting to achieve was ‘nubian black’ despite being white.
The man defended his appearance, writing: “In my honest opinion, there is no such thing as too dark.”
He added that his goal in posting was to demonstrate ‘what can be achieved by a type 2-3 giving enough effort and time,’ while acknowledging: “This is obviously not for everyone, but has been for me.”
His warning for new users
Despite continuing to use Melanotan II himself, the Reddit user has repeatedly cautioned newcomers against making what he believes is the most common mistake.
Responding to another user asking how to avoid developing new moles while taking the drug, he explained that many people wrongly assume Melanotan immediately protects them from UV rays.
“Biggest issue I have seen is people thinking [Melanotan] is instant UV protection and jumping into UV already,” he wrote. “Don’t make that mistake.”
According to the experienced user, the peptide requires time to build up in the body before producing noticeable changes.
He explained that he always follows a ‘loading phase’ lasting around two weeks before deliberately exposing himself to sunlight.
“It doesn’t do anything to protect you [from the sun], what it does is trigger your body to make more melanin,” he wrote in another discussion.
“So be careful with sun exposure in the beginning. It will take around two weeks before you can take ANY sun.”
He also described some of the side effects he has personally experienced over the years.
Alongside reduced appetite, he said the strangest effect occurred shortly after each injection.
“The most strange thing is that it feels really good to stretch, like when you first wake up. I get that every time I dose, about 1hr 30 after injection.”
The serious health risks doctors warn about
Although Melanotan II continues to attract interest online, medical experts strongly advise against using it.
The NHS lists several common side effects associated with the drug, including nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, and loss of appetite.
The substance has also been linked to darkening existing freckles and moles, while experts warn that using unregulated products could increase the risk of far more serious complications.
In severe cases, reported risks have included kidney infections, renal failure, and a potentially increased risk of skin cancer. Certain formulations have also been investigated as treatments for erectile dysfunction, with one published case involving a man who experienced a prolonged erection after extended Melanotan use.
Dr. Ross Perry has previously told Glamour magazine there is no such thing as a ‘safe’ melanin injection.
“They haven’t been properly tested, are not regulated and the reports of damaging side effects are commonplace and so they should be avoided,” he said.
Dr. Donald Grant, Senior Clinical Advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, has issued a similar warning.
“Unlike regulated medicines, these products have not been properly tested for safety, quality or effectiveness, and people often don’t know exactly what they are putting into their bodies,” he explained.
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