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 Melanotan is not a tan. It's an unregulated peptide with real risk. As a dermatologist, here's the reality: It has been linked to new and changing moles including cases of Recent Onset Melanoma and the Implications of the Excessive Use of Tanning DevicesCase Report and Review of the Literature To tan or not to tan Atlantic Dermatology & Laser Fresh warning for 'Barbie drug' Medical Republic What is melanoma? About melanoma