Peptide Library / Skin & Tanning
Melanotan-1
Also known as: Afamelanotide (approved in Europe as Scenesse)
The gentler tanning peptide — more selective than MT-2, fewer side effects, and actually an approved medication in Europe for light-sensitivity disorders.
| Typical research dose | 250 mcg–1 mg |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Daily or every other day during loading |
| Route | Subcutaneous injection |
| Cycle length | Load to desired shade, then maintain seasonally |
Figures reflect protocols commonly reported in the research community — not a prescription or a recommendation.
What it is
Melanotan-1 is a linear alpha-MSH analog that stays close to the natural hormone's selectivity: it drives melanin production without the receptor spillover that gives Melanotan-2 its libido and appetite effects. In implant form (afamelanotide/Scenesse) it's an approved European medication for erythropoietic protoporphyria — a severe light-sensitivity condition — which gives it more legitimate human safety data than most compounds on this site.
What the research looks at
- Photoprotection — increased melanin density and reduced UV damage; the original skin-cancer-prevention research lane.
- Tanning — slower and subtler than MT-2, with UV exposure still required to develop the shade.
- EPP treatment — its actual approved use.
How protocols are commonly structured
250 mcg to 1 mg daily or every other day during loading — MT-1 is dosed higher than MT-2 because it's less potent per mcg, which is also why it's better tolerated — fewer nausea reports and a gentler pigment curve. The same seasonal skin-check habit that goes with MT-2 goes here too.
Reconstitution & storage
Lyophilized powder; bacteriostatic-water reconstitution (calculator), refrigerate after mixing.
Research protocols, not a prescription — talk to a physician before touching anything.