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Toxic tanning - "I didn't think I'd get skin cancer"

A 大象传媒 investigation finds social media influencers are promoting the unlicensed drug "melanotan-2", an artificial hormone that accelerates tanning but can be dangerous.

It's illegal in the UK to sell nasal sprays or injectables made with "melanotan-2", an artificial hormone that can accelerate tanning. Dermatologists say the unlicensed drug is dangerous and there's evidence it may be linked to skin cancer.

A 大象传媒 investigation has found that dozens of social media influencers are still promoting the drug to millions of followers. For 5 Minutes On, health correspondent Anna Collinson talks to two young women who've used melanotan-2 products and suffered the consequences - and an influencer who's realised she needs to be more careful about what she's promoting.

Photo credit: melanotan seller

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