Unregulated 'Barbie peptide' injections surge as a shortcut to a darker tan

Hunter Neely, a 22-year-old fitness coach, and New York-based model Jasik Dhillon have been injecting melanotan peptides to obtain a tan they say enhances their looks. Melanotan-1 and melanotan-2 are synthetic hormones that stimulate melanin production, with MT2 acting faster and producing a darker shade but also causing more side effects. Neither product is cleared by the FDA for cosmetic tanning, though MT1 is approved for a rare skin disorder, and health experts label the substances unsafe for human use.

The drugs are sold through unregulated channels—online vendors, peptide clinics, and even convenience stores—often marked “for research only.” Users report short-term reactions such as facial flushing, anxiety, and darkened spots, while dermatologists caution that a perceived immunity to sunburn may increase long-term skin-cancer risk. The gray-market peptide industry is estimated at around $100 million, reflecting growing demand despite medical warnings.