The height of summer means sunny skies, lemonade stands, half-day Fridays, and for many people who still don’t understand the true dangers of dangerous sun exposure and sunburn. This is a topic we’ve written about at length over the years, most recently with concerns about the rise in tanning among young people and the ever-changing regulations regarding tanning beds. people know Sunburn is dangerous and can lead to skin damage, skin cancer, and even death. They continue to tan. And now it’s possible to self-inject a now-banned peptide called Melanotan II as an alternative to tanning…or amplify the sun’s rays to give you an even darker bronze color.
Peptides have become increasingly popular in recent years, driven by the stratospheric rise in injectable GLP-1 for weight loss and a group of gray market peptides that claim to help with post-workout recovery, hormonal balance, hair loss, and skin health. Several currently restricted peptides are under review, and a meeting of the FDA’s Drug Combinations Advisory Committee is scheduled for mid-July. Melanotan II, also known as the “Barbie drug,” is one such peptide on the list. Previously prohibited, but may be approved or restrictions lifted after the meeting.
Clearly, dermatologists and sun protection organizations have a lot of thoughts about Melanotan II and its potential impact on tanning culture. very The outcome of this meeting is concerning, not to mention how easy it is to obtain peptides online. The Skin Cancer Foundation recently issued a statement From the president, Deborah S. SarnoffM.D., a board-certified dermatologist and director of dermatology at Cosmetic Dermatology, Laser and Plastic Surgery in New York, said the organization “strongly prohibits the use of Melanotan II and other unapproved tanning agents that are marketed as shortcuts to darkening skin.”
But wait a minute. How do peptides cause tanning in the first place? Also, according to How does the sun relate, if at all? Jenna CuellarMelanotan II is a synthetic peptide designed to mimic alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (also known as alpha-MSH), which she describes as a “naturally occurring hormone that stimulates melanocytes, the skin’s pigment-producing cells,” says M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and founder of DermWorks in Boca Raton, Florida. By activating these receptors, peptides can increase melanin production, making the skin appear tanner.
Although Melanotan II promises to look tanned without having to absorb the light of a sunbed or lie down, many Melanotan II users use it as a tool to accelerate the sun’s rays. “It’s important to understand that increased pigmentation does not eliminate the harmful effects of UV exposure,” says Dr. Cuellar. “Many users still intentionally expose themselves to UV rays to deepen or accelerate their tans, further increasing the risk of cumulative UV damage and long-term skin cancer. The cosmetic benefits outweigh the potential health risks.”
amanda kernM.D., a board-certified internist in New York City, says Melanotan II should not be considered a “benign beauty shortcut” to replace bed or tanning. “It raises questions about its safety because it pharmacologically stimulates melanocytes, the skin’s pigment-producing cells,” she says. “I’ve heard that melanotan can cause new moles or darken existing moles, so the risk of melanoma is a concern. I can’t say that melanoma is caused by melanotan, but the signals are concerning enough that I wouldn’t recommend it.”
Dr. Sarnoff noted in a statement that Melanotan II has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has no established safety data, when in fact the opposite is true. she added: published medical literature They “raise serious concerns about the potential risks” associated with the peptide, including “rapid changes in moles and pigmented lesions that may make skin cancer more difficult to detect” and an increased risk of melanoma. The Skin Cancer Foundation statement also notes that there are additional reports that Melanotan II is associated with “serious adverse health effects,” including muscle damage. Dr. Cuellar added that other side effects include nausea, vomiting, increased blood pressure and facial flushing.
Source: Allure – www.allure.com
