Man who's injected Melanotan II for years shares before and after photos
A lot of people go to extreme lengths to keep their tan topped up - but this bloke might just take the biscuit.
He claims to have spent nearly two decades tending to his complexion in the hopes of becoming as bronzed as possible, with the help of an unregulated product that experts have been urging people to steer clear of.
The unnamed man previously posted before-and-after photos which document the drastic change in his appearance, which have managed to stun social media users.
In an array of posts on Reddit, he shared some details of his experience of taking Melanotan II, which has also been dubbed the 'Barbie drug'.
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It's a synthetic hormone-like peptide that usually comes in the form of a nasal spray, although some users inject it instead.
According to Cancer Research UK, it 'stimulates the pigment cells in your skin to produce more melanin, and this makes the skin look darker' - and it is illegal to sell and supply in the UK.
The charity warns that these kinds of products are 'not safe to use', but one bloke hasn't been put off chasing a sun-kissed look.
The social media user, who posted under the username Melanotan2, responded to a series of Reddit threads from curious sun worshippers last year to offer some insight into what taking the so-called 'Barbie drug' is like.
At the time, he claimed he has been taking it for 'roughly 17 years', and explained he would 'always do a loading phase' to allow his body to adjust before basking in the rays.
According to the Melanotan II fan, it 'takes nearly two weeks to kick in' before lounging in the sun will bring about any results, while he also explained that the peptide also 'does nothing to protect you from sunburn'.
"It doesn't do anything to protect you [from the sun], what it does is trigger your body to make more melanin," he wrote in one thread.
"So be careful with sun exposure in the beginning. It will take around two weeks before you can take ANY sun."
He advised people to keep a close eye on any moles 'for changes in size or shape', explaining that they 'can get lost amongst your tan', along with freckles.
The fella said he had experienced a couple of side-effects, such as a 'decreased appetite', as well as revealing that he dealt with another 'strange' consequence after taking the substance.
"The most strange thing is that it feels really good to stretch, like when you first wake up," he wrote. "I get that every time I dose, about 1hr 30 after injection."
He claimed that sticking to his strict Melanotan II schedule had got him 'awfully close' to reaching his desired level of tan - although in a lot of people's eyes, he'd already gone way too far.
Despite the criticism, the man says he thinks his results have been 'amazing'. But according to doctors, the guy is risking a lot more than an OTT tan.
Why is Melanotan II dangerous?
Health experts, including Dr Donald Grant, a GP and Senior Clinical Advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, have been urging people to stop using Melanotan II immediately due to the risks that come with it.
He said: "There are plenty of risks associated with Melanotan II, which is why it currently remains an unauthorised and unapproved product for general use in the UK and America.
"Unlike regulated medicines, these products have not been properly tested for safety, quality or effectiveness, and people often don’t know exactly what they are putting into their bodies.
"Like other tanning methods, this product carries a risk of skin cancer, as it can darken pre-existing moles or cause new ones to appear.
"People who do take this synthetic peptide often report moderate to severe side effects, ranging from nausea to kidney or muscle damage."
But if you won't take his word for it, maybe hearing from Botched star Dr Terry Dubrow will make you take heed of this advice.
Discussing Melanotan II with Women's Wear Daily, the plastic surgeon said: "It’s neither safe nor has it progressed beyond purely experimental. It’s unlicensed, unregulated and basically illegal."
What are the side effects 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)
Olivia Burke