No, you don't need the 'Barbie drug' to tan, whatever TikTok says. Here's why melanotan II is so risky Dangerous 'Barbie' tanning drug's popularity rises despite serious side effects New York Post It doesn't take much to fall down the Barbie Drug rabbit hole. In self tanner subreddits and on TikTok Shop, the tanning injectionaka Melanotan IIis marketed as a self tanner alternative that works by Viral 'Barbie drug' for tanning can cause brain swelling and even cancer, experts warn You don't need the 'Barbie drug' to tan, whatever social media says The "Barbie Drug" Has a Dark Side