Melanotan II is an analog of the peptide hormone alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone that induces skin tanning. Melanotan research has been ongoing at the University of Arizona since the mid 1980's and is currently being headed by Dr. Victor Hruby. Researchers there knew that one of the best defenses against skin cancer was a natural tan which has been slowly developed over weeks. They hypothesized that an effective way to reduce skin cancer rates in people would be to induce the body's natural tanning system to produce a protective tan prior to UV exposure.catkin-82(at)hotmail.com.MelanotanII is popular with athletes and fitness enthusiasts who wish to have the look of a tanned body, which will give you a tan without getting sunburnt. but would rather not expose themselves to the potentially harmful rays of the sun.