Demand in the beauty industry for products that deliver a fast, even tan without hours in the sun has increased over recent years. One such substance you may have seen advertised online is melanotan, a synthetic peptide developed originally to stimulate skin pigmentation. The premise was that it would trigger your body's natural melanin production, giving you a tanned complexion more quickly.
Today, melanotan is available in various forms, including Melanotan oral drops, injectable formulations, and nasal sprays. Social media and online marketplaces have become increasingly popular among those seeking a quick tan. But behind the appealing claims, each of these forms has serious safety concerns.
Melanotan oral drops, otherwise known as oral melanotan, are a liquid solution taken under the tongue. Users often perceive this approach as less invasive or dangerous than injections. It appears quite easy to use: place the drops under your tongue and swallow after a little time. How far this actually works with melanotan oral products has not been proven.
These drops are usually marketed online, with no regulation or oversight. No major health authority has approved them, and there is no reliable research regarding how well the active ingredient is absorbed when taken orally. Important aspects remain unclear, including the correct dosing, the expected amount of pigment change, and the long-term effects it may have.
Marketing for oral melanotan often describes it as a "safe cosmetic solution," which is misleading. Without proper quality standards, these products can contain unknown substances, inconsistent dosages, or even harmful impurities. In the end, there's simply no guarantee that what you're taking will even work; or be safe.
Injectable melanotan is given subcutaneously, meaning it is injected under the skin. While this mode of administration ensures the peptide enters the blood directly, it also carries considerable health risks.
Documented side effects of injectable melanotan include:
Serious AAS users have reported systemic toxicity, including rhabdomyolysis and renal dysfunction, usually related to excessive or inappropriate dosing. Because injectable preparations are often administered without medical supervision, the risks are increased.
Injectable melanotan is therefore illegal for cosmetic use in several countries, including the UK and Australia, for these reasons. The authorities warn that no amount of careful self-dosing can make it safe.
Regarding melanotan oral drops, injectable melanotan, and nasal spray melanotan, the regulatory position remains the same worldwide: none of these products is approved by credible medical or health agencies for cosmetic tanning.
They are either outright banned or classified as illegal due to insufficient clinical data and a high potential for harm. Regulatory bodies warn of widespread false advertising on the Internet, where sellers make unverified claims about the safety, purity, and effectiveness of their products.