Melanotan 1 vs. 2: My Summer Journey & Real Results Avoid nasal tanning sprays or nasal tanners entirely. These products promise an all over tan without sun exposure but they are unregulated, can be unsafe, and contain potentially risky substances like Melanotan 2. 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 Clinically important side effects of Melanotan II and placebo Download Table Viral 'Barbie drug' for tanning can cause brain swelling and even cancer, experts warn