Nasal tanners claim to work by using Melanotan II, a chemical that darkens skin pigmentation. It is illegal to sell medicinal products containing Melanotan II in the UK but since the tanners are sold K T I TIE O IG EK "" With just a little UV exposure, the release of a Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone stimulates a natural increase in the production Viral 'Barbie drug' for tanning can cause brain swelling and even cancer, experts warn No, you don't need the 'Barbie drug' to tan, whatever TikTok says. Here's why melanotan II is so risky