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Dermatologist warns about using ‘Barbie drug’ for tanning
Summary by Laredo News Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Charles Herrington, Jordan Gartner , KGNS — Sitewide
· 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 Laredo News Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Charles Herrington, Jordan Gartner, KGNS — Sitewide 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 Laredo News
In Laredo, where sun-kissed skin is a common aspiration, the warnings about Melanotan II are particularly relevant. As a border city with a strong outdoor culture, residents may be tempted to try the "Barbie drug" for a quick tan. However, the potential side effects, including nausea, facial flushing, and abscesses, should give locals pause. The lack of regulation and standards for purity, sterility, and dosing is especially concerning in a city where access to healthcare can be limited. Laredo residents should be cautious of online promoters and social media influencers touting MTII as a safe and effective tanning solution. Instead, they should consult with local healthcare professionals, such as dermatologists, to discuss the risks and explore alternative, safer options for achieving a healthy glow. By doing so, Laredo residents can protect themselves from the potential harms associated with this unregulated substance.
About this story
Original reporting by KGNS — Sitewide . Laredo News 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 KGNS — Sitewide . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 23, 2026 ·
Source: KGNS — Sitewide ·
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 KGNS — Sitewide and curated for Laredo News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Charles Herrington, Jordan Gartner at KGNS — Sitewide. To learn more about how Laredo News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Laredo News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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