Melanotan-1

The Melanotan-1 evidence base cited here is 5 sources — 1 clinical, 2 review. Its strongest evidence is human — a clinical study, most recently 2015 ("Afamelanotide for Erythropoietic Protoporphyria — Phase 3 RCT"). Regulatory status: FDA-approved (Scenesse).

• Melanotan I (afamelanotide) is a synthetic α-MSH analog that is SELECTIVE for the MC1 receptor — so it mainly does pigmentation/photoprotection, without the libido and appetite effects of the non-selective MT-II.
• An FDA-APPROVED implant version exists — SCENESSE — for a rare condition (erythropoietic protoporphyria). The injectable 'research-grade' form discussed here is NOT approved and is sold for research only.
• Its short ~30-minute half-life means sustained MC1R activation requires frequent dosing.

Melanotan I (afamelanotide) stimulates the body's own melanin production by selectively activating the MC1 receptor on melanocytes. That selectivity is its defining trait: it's the 'cleaner' melanotan, focused on tanning and photoprotection rather than the multi-system effects of MT-II.

Uniquely in the tanning-peptide space, a version of it is genuinely FDA-approved — but as a controlled-release implant (SCENESSE) for a rare light-sensitivity disorder, not as the injectable research-grade peptide sold for tanning. Everything below is research context, not medical guidance.

Melanotan I / afamelanotide is a 13-amino-acid α-MSH analog (~1,646 Da). The key contrast with Melanotan II is receptor selectivity: MT-I acts mainly at MC1R (pigmentation), whereas MT-II is broad-spectrum (MC1/3/4/5R), which is why MT-II adds libido and appetite effects — and more side effects.

Because MT-I is MC1-selective, its effect profile is narrower and its side-effect burden generally lighter than MT-II's.

MT-I binds the MC1 receptor on melanocytes, triggering cAMP signaling that raises tyrosinase activity and eumelanin (brown-black pigment) production. The result is increased melanin density and a tan that develops with minimal UV exposure, plus a degree of photoprotection. Given the short ~30-minute half-life, frequent dosing is used to keep MC1R activation going.

There is no approved dosing for the injectable research-grade form. Figures below are research/anecdotal, included for context only.

• Initial tanning (light skin): ~0.25 mg twice daily, subcutaneous
• Maintenance: ~0.5 mg once daily; photoprotection only: ~0.25 mg once daily
• Multiple daily injections are used because of the ~30-minute half-life
• Minimize UV for ~2–3 hours after injection

• Light-sensitive — wrap the vial / store in the dark. Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water down the vial wall; swirl gently, never shake; solution should be clear.
• Refrigerate at 2–8°C and use within ~30 days; avoid pre-mixed liquid (degrades rapidly).
• Use a product with third-party HPLC/amino-acid analysis confirming >98% purity.

The injectable research form is explicitly not approved for human consumption. Common early effects are mild nausea, facial flushing, and reduced appetite. The defining safety practice for any melanotan is regular mole and skin self-examination — and continuing UV protection despite the deeper tan, since the tan is not a substitute for sunscreen. Use sterile technique and start at a low dose.

• Safety profile assessment (2006, 147 human subjects): transient nausea/flushing, no serious events across multiple doses.
• Photoprotection study (2004, human, 0.08–0.16 mg/kg, 28 days): enhanced tanning and reduced UV damage.
• Tanning efficacy (2003, human vs placebo): visible UV-free tanning.

Afamelanotide is FDA-approved only as the SCENESSE controlled-release implant for erythropoietic protoporphyria. The injectable research-grade Melanotan I is not approved and is sold for laboratory research only, not intended for human consumption.

All citations link to the original source (PubMed, journal site, or regulatory filing). Independent research database — no vendor influence on what's cited.