Brits buy 17 illegal 'Barbie' tanning injections that 'lead to kidney failure, brain swelling and hallucinations' No, you don't need the 'Barbie drug' to tan, whatever TikTok says. Here's why melanotan II is so risky Viral 'Barbie drug' for tanning can cause brain swelling and even cancer, experts warn Barbie Drug: Tan enthusiasts warned off 'very dangerous' melanotan spray Newstalk 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