Is Melanotan the new Solarium?

The use of products like Melanotan is on the rise. We know what it’s like to want a glowing tan, but at what cost? Many of us struggle with the balance of maintaining a tan and ending up with pigment that won’t budge.

Tanning culture in Australia is driven by a combination of social media influence, aesthetic appeal, and the country’s outdoor lifestyle. Despite awareness of the risks of sun and UV exposure, the desire for a “sun-kissed” look remains strong, especially during the warmer months.

Safer alternatives like spray tans and self-tanning products have made tanning more accessible, allowing us to achieve the bronzed look without harmful UV exposure. We are increasingly exploring alternative ways to achieve that summer glow, and some tanning products are not as safe as others. Many have turned

Let’s explore what Melanton is, its side effects, how it impacts skin treatments and what we recommend.

What is Melanotan?

Sometimes known as the ‘Barbie Drug’, Melanotan is a synthetic peptide that mimics the body’s natural hormone, melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), which helps stimulate the production of melanin—the pigment responsible for skin colour.

There are two types: Melanotan I and Melanotan II. These peptides are marketed to enhance tanning without excessive sun exposure.

But if we are stimulating the hormone that stimulates the pigment responsible for skin colour, what effect does this have on our existing pigment and pigment-related skin conditions?

Well the answer is simple, it darkens existing hyperpigmented areas, including sun damage, and hormonal pigment patches like melasma, making the condition more noticeable.

Melanotan Side Effects

The overstimulation of these hormones can lead to many unwanted side effects, not just the darkening of existing pigment.

Common side effects include:

• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Uneven pigmentation
• Darkening of moles and freckles
• Acne
• Facial flushing
• Skin sensitivity, and
• Gastrointestinal problems.

But there are more serious side effects that include: Kidney problems, severe allergic reactions, and an increased risk of skin cancer, especially in people with pre-existing skin conditions (there have been reports of Melanoma diagnosis within four weeks of using Melanotan).

And lets not forget It’s not approved for cosmetic purposes  by medical authorities like the FDA or TGA (in Australia).

Melanotan and Skin treatments

With the rise in Melanotan usage, there are a lot more people using the drug and having skin treatments. If this is you, here is what you need to know:

• It is advised to avoid skin treatments while using Melanotan because the peptide alters your skin’s response.
• By increasing melanin production, Melanotan can lead to uneven pigmentation, making treatments like chemical peels, laser therapy, or microneedling produce unpredictable results.
• It may complicate the healing process, increasing the risk of scarring, hyperpigmentation, and inflammation.
• Additionally, combining treatments with Melanotan can heighten skin sensitivity, raising the chances of irritation or adverse reactions.

Is Melanotan a safe way to Tan?

Our hope after reading this is that you see that Melanotan is not a safe way to get a tan. What can we do instead? When does the risk outweigh the benefit? If the benefit is feeling bronzed, the market is saturated in beautiful, non-harmful, low-tox self-tanner which has little to NO risks!

Melanotan Alternatives

We recommend using products such as tanning lotions and gradual tan moisturisers. If you do want to continue using Melanotan tan, proper home care can help support the skin while you are using the supplement.

However it is important to keep in mind that using products that help with pigmentation will not help prevent unwanted pigment problems that occur from Melanotan use.