Melanotan were developed at the University of Arizona. Researchers there knew that one of the best defenses against skin cancer was a natural tan which has been slowly developed over weeks. The original goal was to develop a hormone that could be injected in your body, develop a tan, and hence, the tanned skin would be naturally protected against the dangereous UV-rays.

Today, Melanotan is mainly used by tan-addicts who want to get a great bronzed-look. They inject the hormone using syringes, takes sunbed-sessions to kickstart the tanning process, and a few weeks later their bronzed look is achieved. The Food and Drug Administration in USA warns against using the hormone. Melanotan has not yet been properly tested. Many other countries have yet to research into the product.

Here's a news report from Australian television, they look into the Melanotan-craze and uses a guinea pig to help test it: