Man who has used Melanotan II for years reveals dramatic before-and-after transformation photos

People go to all sorts of lengths to maintain a year-round glow, but one man has taken his pursuit of a deep tan to a whole new level.

The unnamed Reddit user claims he has spent nearly two decades using Melanotan II, an unregulated substance often referred to as the "Barbie drug", in an effort to achieve the darkest tan possible.

His dramatic before-and-after photos, shared online, have left social media users stunned, showing a striking transformation that he says was achieved after years of sticking to a strict routine.

Reddit user details 17 years of Melanotan II use

In a series of Reddit posts, the man, who posted under the username Melanotan2, opened up about his experience with Melanotan II.

The synthetic hormone-like peptide is designed to stimulate the body's production of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color.

According to Cancer Research UK, it "stimulates the pigment cells in your skin to produce more melanin, and this makes the skin look darker". The charity also warns that these products are "not safe to use", while the sale and supply of Melanotan II is illegal in the UK.

The Reddit user claimed he had been taking the substance for "roughly 17 years" and explained that he would "always do a loading phase" before spending time in the sun.

According to him, the product takes around two weeks before noticeable results begin to appear and does not offer any protection against 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 also urged people to monitor their moles closely, warning that changes in size or shape could become harder to spot against darker skin or freckles.

The unusual side effects he experienced

The man said he had noticed several side effects during his years of use, including a "decreased appetite".

He also revealed what he described as a particularly unusual reaction to the injections.

"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."

Despite criticism from some online users, he insisted he was pleased with the outcome, claiming his results had been "amazing" and that he was "awfully close" to reaching his desired level of tan.

Why experts are warning people to stay away

Health experts have repeatedly raised concerns about Melanotan II and the risks associated with using it.

Dr Donald Grant, GP and Senior Clinical Advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, warned: "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."

Plastic surgeon Dr Terry Dubrow also issued a stark warning while discussing the product with Women's Wear Daily.

"It’s neither safe nor has it progressed beyond purely experimental. It’s unlicensed, unregulated and basically illegal."

A study published by the British Journal of Dermatology found commonly reported side effects included nausea, reversible darkening of moles and an increase in libido or erections.

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

Other side effects listed by WebMD include uneven skin tone, facial flushing, headaches, reduced appetite, painful prolonged erections and melanoma.

Featured image credit: mrs / Getty