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Dermatologist warns about using ‘Barbie drug’ for tanning
Summary by The Nashville Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Charles Herrington, Jordan Gartner , WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· July 23, 2026
· 1 min read
HATTIESBURG, Miss. ( WDAM /Gray News) - A physician is warning about the use of a synthetic chemical known as the “Barbie Drug,” which is injected to get a tan. It’s called Melanotan II or MTII and has since gone viral on social media. The tanning peptide is said to be administered through an inj...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The Nashville Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Charles Herrington, Jordan Gartner, WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 23, 2026 Indexed here Jul 23, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway The tanning peptide is said to be administered through an injection and is something that has been portrayed as being 100% safe.
Why this matters in The Nashville
Nashville residents considering the "Barbie drug" for a quick tan should exercise caution, given the potential side effects and lack of regulation surrounding Melanotan II. The warnings from a Mississippi dermatologist are particularly relevant in a city like Nashville, where the desire for a sun-kissed glow is strong, especially during the city's vibrant festival season. With the ease of social media access, it's likely that some Nashville residents have already been exposed to advertisements or testimonials for MTII, making it crucial for local medical professionals to weigh in on the risks. As the city's residents navigate the various options for achieving a tan, they should be aware of the potential health consequences of using unregulated substances like Melanotan II, and instead consider safer, more traditional methods of sunless tanning or skin protection. Local health experts should continue to monitor the situation and provide guidance to residents.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 23, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 1 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? HATTIESBURG, Miss. ( WDAM /Gray News) - A physician is warning about the use of a synthetic chemical known as the “Barbie Drug,” which is injected to get a tan. It’s called Melanotan II or MTII and has since gone viral on social media. The tanning peptide is said to be administered through an inj...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 23, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Charles Herrington, Jordan Gartner at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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