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 Melanotan II Safety: Tanning Injection LIVV Natural What is Melanotan II the drug that the TGA urges consumers to avoid? Viral 'Barbie drug' for tanning can cause brain swelling and even cancer, experts warn Don't risk using tanning products containing melanotan Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) The Tanning Drug What Patients Should Know