Viral 'Barbie drug' for tanning can cause brain swelling and even cancer, experts warn No, you don't need the 'Barbie drug' to tan, whatever TikTok says. Here's why melanotan II is so risky Melanotan peptide might seem like the cool thing to doit makes you look tan., But these unregulated injections come with real risks., They can cause unpredictable skin changes, including darkening of Melanotan I Don't risk using tanning products containing melanotan Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)