A brief note: this article is about injectable tanning peptides. To be clear, Melatropin™ is not a tanning injection: it is a tanning supplement and has been proven 100% safe and effective. It is manufactured in GMP certified facilities using the highest quality, natural ingredients. What follows is a discussion of gray market products purchased under dubious circumstances for unapproved use as an injection.

There is often much confusion surrounding the risks of injectable tanning peptides. While we examine the side effects of tanning injections in another post, let’s look at another issue altogether, albeit an important one: the legal status of these compounds.

Legality can be a difficult question to answer depending on the specific location around the world. Generally, this can come down to its intended use, of which there are typically 2: research use in a clinical setting, or personal use for the purpose of tanning.

Scientists doing clinical studies on tanning compounds will obtain them from the clinic that they work for, or hospital, etc. These are medical or scientific facilities that procure various research chemicals, often getting them from licensed compounding pharmacies in large orders.

However, for buyers looking to inject these compounds for recreational tanning purposes, purchasing from a legitimate compounding facility is difficult without proper credentials. It is also extremely expensive. As a result, the only option usually available is to purchase smaller amounts from an online seller.

The Legality of Tanning Injections Around the World

The legality of injectable tanning peptides varies around the world. But in most countries (including the U.S., U.K., and Australia) it’s illegal to buy or sell them for personal use.

However, an ostensible loophole does exist in some countries’ laws, allowing their sale to licensed professionals for the sole purpose of “research use.” Unsurprisingly, there are a large number of sites online selling tanning peptides “for research use only.”

With a simple transaction (and no prescription or credentials needed), anyone can buy from these sites. But are they actually buying a real, quality product? And is it pure and safe for human consumption?

Unfortunately, the answer is often no.

In a 2015 study conducted at Aalborg University in Denmark, researchers bought injectable tanning peptides from several online shops. Tests for purity showed that the actual amount in each injection vial ranged only between 4.32 and 8.84 mg, even though there was supposed to be 10 mg per vial.

But far more worrisome is the fact that “vials from two shops contained unknown impurities ranging from 4.1 to 5.9%.” These impurities could be toxic metals or other harmful substances, contaminants that can potentially wreak havoc on your body and have severe, even life-threatening consequences. Clearly, this is a serious problem.

Because of the lack of regulation or oversight, there aren’t protections in place to make sure that contamination doesn’t happen (or to ensure that the white powder being ordered is really a tanning peptide). This presents a huge risk to recreational users planning to inject themselves.

Online sellers that don’t bother with a “research use only” disclaimer and market any injectable substance directly for tanning use are no more exempt, as there’s no regulation here either. The FDA has issued warning letters to several sites ordering them to stop selling tanning injections, calling it “a health risk.”

How to Get The Effects of Tanning Injections Without the Legal Risk

Ultimately, for those willing to take the risk, it is possible to buy tanning injections from the online gray market. Still, be aware that there’s no guarantee of obtaining a real compound or that it will be free from contamination.

We clearly recommend against purchasing any of these injections. Additionally, there is no longer a need to do so. With Melatropin™, you can be assured of getting an effective tanning aid with none of the legal and health risks of injections.