We all know that social media can be a bit of a minefield with new trends popping up all the time. And just when you think you've finally got your head wrapped around one viral story, another one comes along to take its place!

But while most of us are aware of the potential risks that come with spending too much time online – such as addiction, social isolation, and anxiety – younger Australians are often more impressionable and easily enticed.

However, there's one area that's often overlooked when a new viral hack comes out: the impact it has on our physical health. We wrote about another case of this called the ‘one chip challenge’ that is sending people to the hospital!

This danger is especially true when it comes to beauty trends, which can often be highly unsafe if not done properly or under the supervision of a trained professional.



Despite warnings from experts, we are still seeing alarming DIY tutorials and tricks being promoted by influencers on popular social media platforms.

TikTok, in particular, has become a Mecca for beauty trends and skincare tutorials – but you might want to think twice before trying some of them at home. One such trend that has been making rounds recently involves inhaling or snorting a synthetic hormone to get an ‘instant tan’. What?!


Melanotan, the synthetic hormone, was developed in the 1980s to treat skin disorders. The substance increases the body’s production of melanin, which is the pigment that darkens our skin.



Some teenagers and younger adults on TikTok believe that the synthetic hormone is the ‘holy grail’ hack for people who are sick of having ‘ghostly white skin that burns within five minutes of being outside in the sun.’

And despite admitting that they have experienced side effects – such as extreme nausea and the darkening of moles and freckles – as a result of using Melanotan, these people said that they would use it again.


One user wrote: ‘I’ve personally tried this stuff and it’s phenomenal.’ A separate user said that they’re already eight shades darker even though they’ve only spent 10 minutes per day under the sun for a week.

While another praised the dangerous drug and commented: ‘If you don’t like tanning or you just burn instantly when you hit the sun, I highly recommend this stuff.’



Lily Boskovski, a Public Liability lawyer from Slater and Gordon, shared her concerns over the unregulated product making rounds all over the internet. She reminded everyone that the synthetic hormone is ‘incredibly unsafe’ and warned people that buying Melanotan online is ‘extremely dangerous’.

‘No one should be risking their health and well-being for the perfect tan,’ she said.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration previously issued reports over the use of unregulated drugs like Melanotan or injectable tanning products, due to the serious side effects.

She also advised people that ‘it pays to question what is being promoted online.’ And urged everyone to use a drug only if it has been prescribed by a health professional.’


According to the TGA, some of the side effects of using Melanotan include:

• Nausea
• Darkening of moles
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Flushing of the face
• Involuntary stretching and yawning
• Spontaneous erections

There you go, folks! What did you think of this story? As always, please remind the impressionable young people in your life that risky treatments and at-home remedies found on social media, when not performed correctly or safely, can do more harm than good. Consult a doctor or a health professional first before trying new beauty trends.