PeptideEmergingMelanocortin
Melanotan I
Melanocortin peptide (afamelanotide)
Typical dose
0.5–1 mg
daily loading, then 2–3×/wk · SubQ
Half-life
longer-acting than MT-2
What is Melanotan I?
Melanocortin agonist for tanning; milder side-effect profile than Melanotan II, without the libido effect.
How Melanotan I works
A melanocortin (MC1R) agonist that stimulates melanin production (eumelanin) for tanning; more receptor-selective than Melanotan II, so fewer off-target effects.
Benefits & uses
- Skin tanning (stimulates melanin)
- UV/photoprotection interest
- More selective/milder than Melanotan II
Common uses: Tanning, photoprotection (e.g. studied for EPP).
Melanotan I dosage
- Typical dose
- Typical: 500 mcg–1 mg/day SubQ loading, then 2–3×/week maintenance. Milder sides than MT-2.
Melanotan I half-life
longer-acting than MT-2
Melanotan I side effects
- Nausea (esp. on initiation)
- Facial flushing
- Darkening of existing moles/freckles
- Injection-site reactions
Warnings & monitoring
- 🔴 Darkens moles and can obscure melanoma warning signs — get skin/moles checked. Stimulating melanocytes raises theoretical melanoma concern. Not approved for cosmetic tanning in most countries.
Preparation & storage
- Preparation
- Mix a 10 mg vial with 2 mL bac water → 5 mg/mL. A 1 mg dose = 0.2 mL = 20 units.
- Reconstitution
- Reconstitute a 10 mg vial with 2 mL BAC water → 5 mg/mL. A 1 mg dose = 0.2 mL = 20 units on a U-100 syringe.
Track Melanotan I in Protokol.
Log doses, model half-lives, check interactions, and line it all up against your bloodwork. Free on iPhone and Android.
