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Dermatologist warns about using ‘Barbie drug’ for tanning
Summary by The Atlanta Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Charles Herrington, Jordan Gartner , Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· 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 Atlanta Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Charles Herrington, Jordan Gartner, Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News 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 Atlanta
In Atlanta, where sunny weather is a staple for much of the year, the desire for a quick and easy tan can be tempting, especially among young people who spend a lot of time outdoors. However, the warnings from dermatologist Hannah Roberts Badon about the "Barbie drug" Melanotan II should give locals pause. The potential side effects of nausea, facial flushing, and sexual side effects, as well as the risk of abscesses at the injection site, are serious concerns that should not be taken lightly. Furthermore, the lack of regulation and standards for purity, sterility, and dosing of MTII is a red flag that Atlantans should be aware of. As social media continues to influence beauty and wellness trends, it's crucial for individuals in the Atlanta community to approach such products with a critical eye and prioritize their health and safety above the desire for a quick fix.
About this story
Original reporting by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . The Atlanta 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 Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 23, 2026 ·
Source: Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News ·
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 Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Charles Herrington, Jordan Gartner at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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