The dangers of melanotan II to enhance skin tanning

Author(s):  Dr Sherilyn Houle

We all know about the risks of ultraviolet (UV) light exposure and the importance of preventive measures such as sun avoidance and SPF-providing sunscreen and clothing to prevent skin cancer;¹ however, despite health professionals’ best efforts at counselling patients on the risks of sun exposure, travellers to sunny destinations often want ‘a perfect tan’ as a souvenir of their trip.

Various options may be considered by those who desire a tan, including UV exposure (through natural sunlight or tanning beds) and spray tans, but have you ever heard of melanotan II (not to be confused with melatonin)? I recently learned of this product that is gaining attention in social media as a strategy to enhance tanning, which means it may also be on the radar of travellers.

Melanotan II is a synthetic analogue of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone, an endogenous hormone that is 1,000 times more potent than the endogenous hormone.² This hormone stimulates production of eumelanin, which is a type of melanin that contributes to pigmentation of skin, hair, and eyes.³ Users may take melanotan II alone or to supplement pigmentation that develops from UV exposure.

Melanotan II is considered an unapproved drug across many regions including Australia, New Zealand, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.⁴ Many have issued warnings about its safety with concerns including nausea, flushing, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, lethargy, and abdominal cramping.^2,4 Toxicity reports have also described renal dysfunction, rhabdomyolysis, priapism, and increases in the number, size, and pigmentation of moles associated with causing melanomas.⁴ As an unregulated product, concerns also arise regarding quality, which can include stability and infection risks from multi-dose vials of the product administered by injection.⁴

Travellers desiring the look of a tan are advised to avoid this unregulated product and stick to sunless tanning products such as bronzers, self-tanners, and spray tanners and to use SPF-containing products to protect against the damaging effects of UV rays.⁵ Sun exposure and melanotan are simply not worth the risks.

References

[1].  Sun protection: Your daily sun protection guide.  The Skin Cancer Foundation [link]
[2].  An unhealthy glow? A review of melanotan use and associated clinical outcomes.  Brennan R, Wells JG, Van Hout MC ‐ Perform Enhanc Health 2014;3(2):78-92 [link]
[3].  The physical and chemical properties of eumelanin.  Meredith P, Sarna T ‐ Pigment Cell Res 2006;19(6):572-94 [link]
[4].  Melanotan II.  Australian Government. Department of Health, Disability and Ageing: Therapeutic Goods Administration [link]
[5].  Tanning is out.  Canadian Cancer Society [link]