Melanotan What It Is and Its Relation to Skin Cancer 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 Stop Taking Melanotan II Dermatologist Breaks It Down We are alerting the public of the serious health risks posed by the unauthorised substance Melanotan 2, often described as a self tanning aid. We strongly advise members of the public not to Illegal tanning nasal spray not a 'harmless alternative' to sunbaking, says TGA ABC News