Did you hear about a drug that makes you tanned?
A drug that stimulates melanin production and turns skin caramel for up to two months has received U.S. government approval to begin clinical trials.
A man made hormone called afamelanotide is injected into the skin to stimulate tanning. The drug is being developed as a treatment for patients whose health due to rare genetic disorders is endangered by sun's rays.
Even though it has not yet been approved for tanning, a similar unlicensed product under a very descriptive name Melanotan II based on a similar compound, has become available from online retailers and is gaining popularity. American and British officials are concerned that use of this drug can cause serious short-term and long-term health problems. For example, a recent research has proved that injecting this compound into skin can cause a change in size and shape of moles which could be precursor to skin cancer.
What makes Melanotan II even more popular is that in addition to tanning, it also appears to produce aphrodisiac and erectile function effects.
Sources:
BBC NEWS UK
Wired.com
Pressrelease at mhra.gov.uk
CNN
Bmj.com
The peptide has never changed the size/shape of any moles on my body. Something to pay close attention to however in any event.
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