Understanding Nasal Tanning Sprays and Melanoma 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 Viral tanning 'Barbie drug' linked to cancer, experts warn Nasal sprays containing the 'Barbie Drug' melanotan are very, very dangerous and completely unregulated, according to leading dermatologist. Experts say there has been a surge in the use of the illegal tanning aid