Dermatologist explains what happens to your body after you take Melanotan II

A dermatologist has warned that people are putting their bodies at serious risk by taking a tanning drug that is illegal to sell in the UK.

A quick fix is always going to be appealing. Just like GLP-1 weight loss drugs make shedding the pounds easier, Melanotan II claims to be able to help you get a perfect tan much faster.

The drug, which comes as a nasal spray or an injection, stimulates the pigment cells in the skin, making it look darker.

Data from Melanoma Focus last year revealed that 15 percent of people in Wales reported using illegal injections or nasal sprays to intensify their tans - so these drugs are more popular than you might think.

Melanotan II was recently taken off the FDA's restrictive Category 2 list, but it is still not FDA-approved in the US, while it remains unlicensed, unregulated and illegal in the UK.

But that hasn't stopped some folks from getting their hands on it, with one Reddit user showing off his drastic results after years of taking the synthetic peptide.

How the Reddit user looked before his Melanotan use (Reddit/n3glv)

The anonymous man from Reddit wrote: "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."

'You can't guarantee safety'

Now, dermatologist and content creator Dr Dustin Portela has highlighted some of the other risks associated with Melanotan II, which can be triggered very soon after taking it.

He says: "If you have existing moles or freckles, they will get darker. And there are case reports of people developing melanoma while taking melanotan.

What he looked like after using the drug (Reddit/n3glv)

"I'm not encouraging its use, if you're doing it, it's at your own risk, but get checked by a dermatologist.

"Peptides are definitely not for everybody, and remember, this is not FDA-approved for any indication. Most people are buying it from unregulated websites where the product is being made in a foreign country, and you can't guarantee the safety or purity of the product."

When to become concerned

The dermatologist adds that he and other skincare experts will become 'super concerned' when moles begin to pop up all over the body, since this is when 'melanocytes get more active', something the doctor clarifies can increase the risk of melanoma.

So, much like tanning beds, this is one you should probably avoid if you want to look after your skin, with some sunlight and Factor 50, or even a few carrots, perhaps the best way to earn a more natural tan.

The side effects of Melanotan II

A study of 28 people aged 18 to 64 by the British Journal of Dermatology details some of the side effects they commonly experienced. These included:

• Nausea
• Reversible darkening of moles
• An increase in libido or erections

The study also noted two much more serious potential side effects associated with Melanotan II.

These were dysplastic naevi, which is an odd-looking, often large mole that is thankfully non-cancerous.

And renal infarction, which is the interruption of normal blood flow to the kidneys. That's a medical emergency which requires urgent hospital treatment.

Other side effects listed on WebMD include:

• Uneven skin tone
• Facial redness or flushing
• Headaches
• Reduced appetite
• Painful, prolonged erections, which can permanently damage the penis
• Melanoma (skin cancer)