In the United States, a 46-year-old man purchased an unregulated tanning peptide at a local gym and subsequently developed melanoma, infohub.kz reports.
The man decided to try the unapproved drug after learning about it on social media and from conversations with bodybuilders. In July 2024, he began injecting himself daily with a substance that stimulates melanin production. The man had previously been diagnosed with malignant melanoma, and his close relatives had also faced cancer.
Five weeks after starting the course, the American noticed that his moles began changing shape and size. He stopped the injections and sought medical help. Dermatologists found a suspicious growth on his back and performed surgery. A biopsy confirmed early-stage melanoma.
The peptide is dubbed the "Barbie drug" due to its popularity among people seeking a quick tan or weight loss. The drug has no medical approval, and its over-the-counter sale is unregulated. Doctors emphasize that purchases through unofficial channels deprive patients of quality control and risk warnings. Dermatologists once again urged people to avoid unlicensed peptides for the sake of their health.