Has a suntan become that socially desirable that people will go to the extreme lengths of injecting themselves with potentially dangerous substances like melanin (melanotan)? Apparently so – the latest craze is the injecting of Melanotan under the skin in order to change the pigmentation and darken the skin.
These injections have been made available in some tanning salons, on the internet and in some bodybuilding gyms whereby they claim the product is a safe and effective way of obtaining a tan. This couldn’t be any further from the truth and are likely to be counterfeit products that have not even been properly tested therefore have not been medically approved.
What is Melanotan I/ Melanotan II?
Both melanotan products are cosmetic products that stimulates (and mimics) a natural increase in melanin production, the main determinant of skin colour. They are manmade versions of a natural protein called “alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone”, or alpha-MSH. Melanin is a brown pigment which causes skin to become darker in appearance, instead of reddening, when exposed to UV rays.
Side effects
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Facial flushing
- Aching limbs
- Increased blood pressure.
The negative side effects of the drug have failed to distract people from using it and still we are seeing a growth in usage and popularity. Even more disturbing news is that some users are even reusing or sharing the same injecting equipment with others – placing them at an increased risk of infection. It is not just the content of the drug that is worrying but also the preparations, contaminants and sterility. Serious infections such as HIV and hepatitis can be passed easily this way from person to person- if the injections are done hygienically.
Micheal Evans-Brown from the Liverpool John Moores University is concerned that long-term effects of taking the injections may “damage the cardiovascular and immune systems, apart from giving rise to other complications.” During his research he found that the stimulation of the cells that produce melanin could quite possibly lead to cancer or organ failure. These findings are worrying, and what is even more worrying is that people are still managing to get their hands on the injections.
Suntans only provide a small measure of protection against YV radiation and you should never rely on this to protect you against heavy doses of UV or to reduce the risk of skin cancer. Tanning injections may trick people into a false security if they think they do not need to use sun protection – in turn they will only increase their chance of sunburn even further, thus increasing the risk of skin cancer.
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