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A group of patients who were using a peptide called melanotan-II to get a deep, long-lasting tan have been developing unusual moles, and doctors are noticing a worrying pattern. The cases were reported in the news after clinicians saw several people show up with new or changing pigmented skin spots while on this product. The story is essentially a medical warning: people chasing a tan with this drug may be creating skin changes that need careful checking. Melanotan-II is a lab-made small protein (a peptide) that acts like a natural hormone that controls skin color. In plain terms, it tricks the body into making more pigment (melanin), which darkens the skin. It is sometimes sold online to people who want a quick or persistent tan without much sun exposure. It is not an approved medicine for tanning in most countries, and products sold off the internet can vary in purity and dose. The research behind this story is clinical observation: doctors noticed abnormal moles appearing in several patients who reported using melanotan-II. This isn’t a large, controlled clinical trial; it’s a set of case reports and alerts from clinicians. Those reports show a temporal link — the moles appeared or changed after people started the peptide — but they don’t prove the peptide definitely causes skin cancer. The size of the effect and the overall risk can’t be quantified from these reports alone. What they do show is enough concern to prompt further investigation and to recommend caution. This matters because moles and changes in skin pigmentation can be early signs of skin cancer, including melanoma, which can be serious. People using unregulated products to tan without sun can still be putting their skin at risk. Anyone who’s using melanotan-II, or considering it, should know that new or changing moles need prompt medical review. For the average person, the takeaway is: chasing a “perfect” tan with unapproved drugs is not a harmless shortcut, and skin health should be monitored closely. There are important caveats. These reports don’t prove causation — more rigorous studies are needed. Melanotan-II products bought online are often unregulated, so their exact ingredients and doses are uncertain. Side effects reported with melanotan peptides in other contexts include nausea, flushing, and possible cardiovascular effects; safety over the long term is not established. Regulators in many places warn against using these products. People with a personal or family history of skin cancer, many moles, or atypical moles should be especially cautious and get regular skin checks. Bottom line: anecdotal but concerning medical reports link melanotan-II tanning injections to abnormal moles, so avoid unapproved tanning peptides and see a doctor for any new or changing spots.
Source: RNZ