PPEPGAINS
⚠ RESEARCH USE ONLY · NOT FDA-APPROVED FOR HUMAN USE · NOT MEDICAL ADVICE
PEPGAINS/LIBRARY/SKIN/MELANOTAN I
Reviewed by PEPGAINS EDITORIAL·↗ View on PubMed
SKIN & ANTI-AGINGAPPROVED (SOME COUNTRIES)

Melanotan I.

The Photoprotective Tanning Peptide
AKA · MT-1 · Afamelanotide · Scenesse
SKIN & ANTI-AGINGNASAL SPRAYSSUBCUTANEOUSNASAL

FDA-approved (as Scenesse) for EPP patients, this melanocortin peptide stimulates natural melanin production for tanning and UV protection without sun exposure.

Jump to dosing ↓Read researchWhere to buy
~30 minutes
Half-life
3
Citations
2
Routes
2
Categories
Store
Storage
55
Popularity

AT A GLANCE.

§ 01 · TL;DR

THE QUICK READ.

FDA-approved (as Scenesse) for EPP patients, this melanocortin peptide stimulates natural melanin production for tanning and UV protection without sun exposure.

Activates melanocortin receptors in skin cells to produce more melanin, your body's natural sunscreen pigment.

Some UV exposure enhances results but is not required

WHAT IT MIGHT HELP WITH.

1
Natural-looking tan without UV exposure
2
Increased UV protection
3
FDA-approved for EPP (erythropoietic protoporphyria)
4
Longer-lasting tan than sun exposure
5
May reduce skin cancer risk in high-risk individuals

HOW IT WORKS.

§ 02 · MECHANISM

Activates melanocortin receptors in skin cells to produce more melanin, your body's natural sunscreen pigment.

Synthetic alpha-MSH analog with high selectivity for MC1R. Stimulates melanogenesis in melanocytes, increasing eumelanin production for photoprotection.

WHO IT'S FOR
  • ✓EPP patients (FDA-approved use)
  • ✓Those seeking tan without UV damage
  • ✓Very fair-skinned individuals
  • ✓Those at high risk for UV damage
WHO SHOULD AVOID
  • ✕History of melanoma or skin cancer
  • ✕Many atypical moles
  • ✕Pregnant/nursing
  • ✕Liver disease

THE RESEARCH.

§ 03 · 3 STUDIES
2015 · FINDING
CITED

EPP Treatment

Significantly increased pain-free sun exposure time in EPP patients

Source ↗
2009 · FINDING
CITED

Photoprotection

Reduced UV-induced DNA damage in skin cells

Source ↗
2023 · FINDING
CITED

Vitiligo Combination Therapy

Improved repigmentation when combined with narrowband UVB therapy in vitiligo patients

Source ↗

DOSING PROTOCOL.

§ 04 · DOSING
TYPICAL RANGE
Some UV exposure enhances results but is not required
Implant: 16mg every 2 months (Scenesse). Research: 0.5-1mg injection
FREQUENCY
Most-cited schedule
Implant every 60 days, or injection protocols vary
ROUTES
Delivery methods
SUBCUTANEOUS · NASAL
HALF-LIFE
Steady state drives frequency
~30 minutes
STORAGE
Protect from light, refrigerate
Store lyophilized at
⚠ NOTE

These are reported protocols from research literature and practitioner accounts, not prescriptions. No FDA-approved human dose exists for research compounds. Anyone using Melanotan I should work with a qualified physician and source from a supplier providing third-party COAs.

FORMS AVAILABLE
  • · Subcutaneous implant (FDA-approved)
  • · Subcutaneous injection (research)
  • · Nasal spray (research)
⚠ RESEARCH INFORMATION ONLY · NOT MEDICAL ADVICE
Open dosing calculator →

SIDE EFFECTS & RISKS.

§ 06 · SAFETY
·
Nausea
Common initially · mild

Usually subsides with continued use

·
Facial flushing
Common · mild
·
Fatigue
Occasional · mild
·
Mole darkening
Common · mild

Monitor moles for changes

WHERE TO SOURCE

§ 07 · SUPPLIER
PEAK LAB
PEPTIDES
SUPPLIER OF RECORD · 12 BATCHES PASSED

Melanotan I is not currently stocked by our vetted supplier. If you're researching it, verify any source with a third-party COA — our full sourcing guide covers what to look for.

Sourcing guide →

COMMON QUESTIONS.

§ 08 · FAQ
What's the difference between Melanotan I and II?
MT-1 is more selective for tanning receptors with fewer side effects. MT-2 also affects libido and appetite but has more side effects.
Do I still need sun exposure?
Some UV exposure can enhance and speed up results, but MT-1 can produce tanning even without sun.
Is Melanotan I legal?
It's FDA-approved as Scenesse for EPP. Research peptide versions exist in a gray area depending on jurisdiction.

MORE ON MELANOTAN I.

§ 10 · FIELD NOTES
◆ Guides · ★ FEATURE

How to Reconstitute Peptides: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Complete guide to peptide reconstitution — equipment needed, step-by-step instructions, dosing calculations, storage tips, and common mistakes to avoid.

12 min·READ →
◆ Education

Why Peptide Purity Matters: Understanding the 98%+ Standard

What peptide purity actually means, how it's tested, and why quality costs more but saves money long-term.

9 min·READ →
◆ THE PEPGAINS DISPATCH

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