What are the mechanism of action and side effects of Melanotan 2 (afamelanotide)? Don't risk using tanning products containing melanotan Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Melanotan II (Tan Jabs): Why They're Not Worth The Risk Your body already makes a hormone that tells your skin to tan. Melanotan 2 is a synthetic peptide engineered to mimic that hormone but in a version that's more potent and longer lasting than Man warns against 'dangerous' tanning injections after turning so dark he 'looked like Madge from Benidorm' and now has the freckled skin of a 60 year old