There’s a high probability that we all know someone who’s prepared to get that sun-kissed, I-just-returned-from-a-luxury-beach-holiday look, no matter the cost.

Even for those who don’t have skin genetically coded to brown in the light of the sun, there are various ways one can set about achieving a desired, darkened look.

Yet not all tanning methods are advisable, nor entirely safe. The potential damage wrought by prolonged sun exposure and artificial tanning beds has been known to us for decades now; the associated risks, including melanoma (skin cancer) made clear.

Now, a man who claims to have used tanning peptide Melanotan II for nearly twenty years has issued a warning to those thinking about turning to the controversial product in order to achieve their desired tan.

For those readers who may not heard of Melanotan II, it’s an unregulated synthetic peptide designed to stimulate the body’s production of melanin.

It can be labeled online as the “Barbie drug” or “Vacation peptide,” and is usually injected or administered as a nasal spray. As of 2026, it remains untested, unregulated and illegal to sell in many countries, not to mention unsafe in the eyes of experts.

Nevertheless, as is so often the case, there are people out there willing to risk taking it. One Reddit user, whose username us ‘n3glv’ claims to have been using Melanotan II for nearly two decades.

Over the past few years, he has regularly shared photos documenting the dramatic change to his skin tone, while attempting to offer advice to those considering testing the peptide themselves.

The biggest mistake he claimed to have seen people make is that their skin turns brown as a result of Melanotan II and they then think they have protection from the sun’s 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.”

He added: “It doesn’t do anything to protect you [from the sun], what it does is trigger your body to make more melanin.”

“So be careful with sun exposure in the beginning. It will take around two weeks before you can take ANY sun.”

As per the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), Melanotan II carries reported side effects that can include:

Nausea
Drowsiness
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
More serious complications linked to its use include an increased risk of skin cancer, kidney infections and renal failure.