Melanotan-1 research

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.
• The defining safety practice for the tanning-peptide class: regular mole/skin self-monitoring — and keep using UV protection despite the enhanced tan.

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.

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.

• Tanning efficacy (2003, human vs placebo): visible UV-free tanning.

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