Viral 'Barbie drug' for tanning can cause brain swelling and even cancer, experts warn Martina Big, 36, who is from Germany, and her husband Michael Eurwen, 38, who both injected Melanotan, a synthetic hormone to darken their skin have announced that they are planning to permanently 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 Is It Possible to Overdose on Melatonin? Here's What to Know Clinically important side effects of Melanotan II and placebo Download Table