Expert explains what happens to your body when you take Melanotan II as before-and-after photos show effects

A dermatologist has issued a stark warning about Melanotan II, a tanning drug that remains illegal to sell in the UK, after highlighting a side effect that can leave skin experts seriously worried.

Promoted by some users as a shortcut to achieving a darker complexion, Melanotan II is available as either a nasal spray or an injection. The synthetic peptide works by stimulating pigment-producing cells in the skin, causing it to appear darker over time.

Its popularity appears to be growing despite safety concerns. Data from Melanoma Focus revealed that 15 percent of people in Wales reported using illegal injections or nasal sprays to intensify their tans.

While Melanotan II was recently removed from the FDA's restrictive Category 2 list, it is still not approved by the FDA in the United States and remains unlicensed, unregulated and illegal in the UK.

Reddit user shared dramatic transformation

One Reddit user recently attracted attention after posting before-and-after photos showing the effects of taking Melanotan II over several years.

The anonymous user explained that the drug does not provide protection from the sun despite helping the body produce more pigment.

"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."

The images showed a significant darkening of the user's skin tone following prolonged use of the synthetic peptide.

Dermatologist highlights melanoma concerns

Dermatologist and content creator Dr Dustin Portela has warned that Melanotan II may cause existing moles and freckles to darken, which can make monitoring skin changes more difficult.

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

"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."

According to Dr Portela, dermatologists become particularly concerned when new moles begin appearing across the body. He explained that this can happen when melanocytes become more active, which may increase the risk of melanoma.

Reported side effects range from mild to severe

Research published in the British Journal of Dermatology examined 28 people aged between 18 and 64 who had used Melanotan II and found several commonly reported side effects.

These included nausea, reversible darkening of moles and an increase in libido or erections.

The study also identified two more serious potential complications: dysplastic naevi, which are unusual-looking but non-cancerous moles, and renal infarction, a medical emergency caused by an interruption of blood flow to the kidneys.

Additional side effects listed by WebMD include uneven skin tone, facial redness or flushing, headaches, reduced appetite, painful prolonged erections that can permanently damage the penis, and melanoma, a form of skin cancer.

With experts continuing to raise concerns about the drug's safety, dermatologists advise caution, particularly given that many users obtain Melanotan II from unregulated sources where product quality and purity cannot be verified.

Featured image credit: mrs / Getty