Melanotan-1
Also known as Afamelanotide, Scenesse, MT-1, NDP-alpha-MSH, [Nle4, D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH
Melanotan-1 is a stabilized analog of the natural tanning hormone alpha-MSH that darkens skin by stimulating melanin production. It is approved as an implant called Scenesse for a rare light sensitivity disorder and is used off-label for tanning and sun protection with fewer side effects than melanotan-2.
Overview
Melanotan-1, known in pharmaceutical form as afamelanotide, is a 13 amino acid analog of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone with two substitutions that make it far more stable and potent than the natural hormone. It was developed at the University of Arizona in the 1980s with the goal of producing a tan without UV exposure as a form of skin cancer prevention. The compound was later licensed to Clinuvel, which developed it as a subcutaneous implant, and the FDA approved it in 2019 as Scenesse for erythropoietic protoporphyria, a genetic condition in which sunlight causes severe pain.
The clinical trials in EPP showed that afamelanotide implants roughly doubled the time patients could spend in sunlight without pain and improved quality of life. The mechanism is straightforward: more eumelanin in the skin absorbs light before it can trigger the phototoxic reaction. Additional trials in vitiligo, polymorphic light eruption, and solar urticaria have shown benefit, and Clinuvel continues to pursue those indications. The safety record from these trials is reasonable, with nausea, flushing, and darkening of moles as the main issues.
The injectable powder sold as melanotan-1 on the grey market is the same peptide without the implant. People use it for tanning, either for cosmetic reasons or because they burn easily and want protection. Compared to melanotan-2 it is more selective for the MC1R receptor, so it produces pigmentation with much less nausea, appetite suppression, or sexual effects. The tan develops over one to two weeks and requires some UV exposure to fully express. The main long term concern is that it darkens existing moles and may make new ones appear, which complicates skin cancer monitoring.
How it works
Melanotan-1 is a selective agonist at the melanocortin 1 receptor on melanocytes in the skin. Activation raises intracellular cAMP and drives the enzyme tyrosinase to produce eumelanin, the brown-black pigment, rather than pheomelanin, the red-yellow form that offers little protection. The melanin is packaged into melanosomes and transferred to surrounding skin cells, darkening the skin over days. The norleucine at position 4 and D-phenylalanine at position 7 protect the peptide from enzymes and increase receptor affinity, extending an effect that lasts minutes with natural alpha-MSH into one that persists for hours. MC1R activation also has mild anti-inflammatory and DNA repair enhancing effects in skin, which contribute to photoprotection beyond simple pigment.
What the research shows
- human RCTAfamelanotide implants increased pain free sun exposure time and quality of life in patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria in Phase 3 trials.
- human RCTAfamelanotide combined with narrowband UVB produced faster and greater repigmentation in vitiligo than UVB alone.
- human pilotSubcutaneous melanotan-1 produced measurable skin darkening in healthy volunteers within 2 weeks, with the greatest effect in fair skinned individuals.
- human pilotMelanotan-1 reduced sunburn cell formation and UV induced DNA damage in treated skin compared to untreated sites.
- in vitroAlpha-MSH analogs enhance DNA repair and reduce oxidative damage in melanocytes after UV exposure.
Evidence labels: rodent and in vitro mean no human data for that finding. Human pilot means small, often uncontrolled. Human RCT means randomized and controlled. Clinical means an approved drug with regulatory data.
Dose calculator
U-100 insulin syringeUnits are a volume on the syringe, not an amount of peptide. Concentration changes every time you change the water volume. The standalone calculator explains the math.
Dosing and protocol
loading phase daily until desired shade, then 1-2 times weekly to maintain
2-4 week loading phase, then maintenance as desired; many stop for winter
Evening is common to sleep through any nausea. Modest UV exposure a few times a week helps the tan develop.
| Vial | Suggested water | Concentration | Low dose draw |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 mg | 2 mL | 5 mg/mL | 10 units |
Lyophilized: freezer or fridge, away from light. Reconstituted: fridge 2-8C, use within 4 weeks.
Cautions
- ▲Darkens existing moles and freckles and can bring out new ones; photograph your skin before starting and see a dermatologist about any changing mole.
- ▲Mild nausea and flushing after injection, much less than with melanotan-2.
- ▲Uneven pigmentation is possible, especially on the face, scars, and areas with prior sun damage.
- ▲Not a substitute for sunscreen; the tan reduces but does not eliminate UV damage.
- ▲Grey market product is unregulated and vials labeled melanotan-1 are sometimes melanotan-2 or mixtures.
Commonly stacked with
Frequently asked
Melanotan-1 or melanotan-2 for tanning?
Melanotan-1 is more selective for the skin receptor, so it tans with far less nausea, no appetite suppression, and no sexual side effects. Melanotan-2 works faster and at lower doses but hits several other receptors. If you only want the tan, MT-1 is the cleaner choice; MT-2 is cheaper per result.
Do I still need sun exposure?
Some. The peptide ramps up melanin production, but UV light is what triggers melanocytes to release it into the skin. A few short sessions a week during loading produce a much deeper and more even tan than the peptide alone.
Is it safe for moles?
It darkens them, which is expected, but that makes it harder to spot a mole that is changing for bad reasons. There is no evidence it causes melanoma, but it is prudent to document your skin beforehand and have any new or changing mole checked.
How long does the tan last after stopping?
Skin turns over in about four to six weeks, so the tan fades over a month or two once you stop, faster if you avoid the sun. Maintenance doses of once or twice weekly keep it going.
References
- Afamelanotide for erythropoietic protoporphyria. New England Journal of Medicine, 2015
- Afamelanotide and narrowband UV-B phototherapy for the treatment of vitiligo: a randomized multicenter trial. JAMA Dermatology, 2015
- Scenesse (afamelanotide) implant prescribing information. US Food and Drug Administration, 2019
- Melanotan-1 induces tanning and photoprotection in human volunteers. Journal of the American Medical Association, 1991