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 (Tan Jabs): Why They're Not Worth The Risk Reminder of serious health risks with 'Melanotan 2' self tan products Irish Pharmacist No, you don't need the 'Barbie drug' to tan, whatever TikTok says. Here's why melanotan II is so risky