Melanotan-1
Also known as Scenesse (afamelanotide)
Quick facts
- Researched for
- Tanning, darker skin color and questions about sun sensitivity
- Route or form
- Injection
- Evidence so far
- Cites the approved drug and one human pigment study; tanning use rests on reports.
- Not established
- The medical approval does not show that using it to tan is safe.
- Commonly researched
- 250 mcg, twice weeklyPractitionerSee every range
- Where to get it
- At our partner, US Precision Peptides.Go to Next step
By the Learn Peptides editorial team · Updated · How We Research
What people are researching it for
People are researching Melanotan-1 for tanning, darker skin color, and questions about sun sensitivity.
Natural color. Greater confidence.
Melanotan I (MT-1), also known as afamelanotide or NDP-α-MSH
- What is Melanotan I?
- Checklist: 13 amino acids
- Checklist: FDA-approved formulation (Scenesse® for EPP)
- How does it work?
- Not written out in this text version.
- Common research use cases
- Not written out in this text version.
- How it's used in research
- Route: Subcutaneous (most common)
- Route: Intranasal (also used)
- Common dosing: 250 to 1,000 mcg per day
- Common dosing: Often used for 1 to 4 weeks
- Common dosing: Maintenance protocols vary (e.g., 1 to 3x per week)
- Duration: Initial phase: 1 to 4 weeks
- Duration: Ongoing/maintenance: varies by goal
- Duration: Results can persist beyond use
- There is no standardized dose or protocol. Research use should be thoughtful, tracked, and adjusted based on individual response.
- What users report
- Keep in mind: Results vary widely
- Keep in mind: Not everyone responds
- Keep in mind: May cause nausea or flushing
- Keep in mind: Can darken freckles and moles
- Keep in mind: Sun protection is still important
- Fewer side effects compared to MT-2
- Key takeaway
- It's not a replacement for sun protection, but it may help you get more from less sun exposure.
- The bottom line
- Melanotan I shows strong potential for increasing pigmentation and UV protection, with a favorable side effect profile compared to Melanotan II. Use only high-purity peptides, follow a research-focused approach, and set realistic expectations.
Reasons people look into Melanotan-1. An interest is not a promise that it works.
- Skin, hair & tanning
This visual sets Melanotan-1 and Melanotan-2 side by side: timing, amounts and side effects.
Melanotan I and Melanotan II, next to each other.
Same goal. Different profiles.
- What are they?
- Not written out in this text version.
- Key differences
- Melanotan II: More systemic effects
- Melanotan I: Governed by MC1R activity (primarily)
- Melanotan II: Broader receptor activity (MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R)
- Common uses
- Neither peptide replaces sunscreen or safe sun practices.
- Timeline & research dosing
- Dosing and response vary widely by individual. These are typical ranges reported in research and user communities.
- Melanotan I: Typical dose: 250 to 1,000 mcg/day
- Melanotan I: Noticeable results: often 1 to 3 weeks
- Melanotan I: Full effect: 4 to 8+ weeks
- Melanotan I: Gentler, more gradual tanning response
- Melanotan II: Typical dose: 250 to 500 mcg/day
- Melanotan II: Noticeable results: often within days
- Melanotan II: Full effect: 2 to 4 weeks
- Melanotan II: Faster, more dramatic tanning response
- There is no standardized dose or protocol. Use should be thoughtful and based on individual response.
- Side effects & considerations
- Both peptides can cause side effects. MT-II is more likely to cause systemic effects due to broader receptor activity.
- Melanotan I: Mild nausea (less common)
- Melanotan I: Flushing
- Melanotan I: Some darkening of freckles and moles
- Melanotan I: Generally fewer systemic effects
- Melanotan I: Slower, more controlled results
- Melanotan II: Nausea and flushing (common)
- Melanotan II: Appetite suppression
- Melanotan II: Increased libido / erections
- Melanotan II: Yawning and fatigue
- Melanotan II: More frequent darkening of freckles and moles
- Melanotan II: Faster, deeper pigmentation
- Individual responses vary. Stop use and consult a healthcare professional if you experience concerning side effects.
- Key takeaway
- MT-I is often preferred for a milder experience and more gradual, natural-looking results. MT-II is typically chosen for faster, more dramatic tanning, but comes with a higher likelihood of systemic side effects.
- The bottom line
- Melanotan I and Melanotan II can both enhance tanning and may offer additional benefits, but they have different timelines, side effect profiles, and overall experiences. Start with clear goals, use high-quality products, and take a cautious, informed approach.
- Also printed on the image
- Vial illustrations: MT-I 10 mg Research Use Only; MT-II 10 mg Research Use Only
- Vial labels: MT-I 10 mg; MT-II 10 mg
People most often report a slow tan, while some say it only darkened freckles.
Community reports
Community discussion focuses mainly on gradual tanning and darker skin pigment, often comparing it with the stronger side-effect profile of Melanotan-2.
Community reports
People use MT-1 to build a tan or a protective base color with less risk of sunburn, especially if they burn easily or have a sun-sensitive skin condition. Reports are mixed: some get a real, even tan with mild side effects, while others say it barely worked or only darkened existing freckles.
A related form, studied in people, was FDA-approved in 2019 for a rare sunlight disease.
A related medical form, afamelanotide, has been studied in people. The approved it in 2019 for a rare condition that causes severe light sensitivity.
A lab-made version of the skin's own tanning hormone, used to build a tan, with milder side effects reported than its cousin Melanotan-2.
What this is based on
- Human researchStudied in people for this or a related question.
- Community reportsWhat people describe noticing. Not proof of cause.
- Industry perspectiveCommentary from practitioners and the industry, based on experience. Not a study.
- Learn Peptides explanationOur own plain-English summary of the sources. It is not a source itself.
The medical approval does not show that using it to tan is safe.
That medical use does not prove that unapproved tanning use is safe or equivalent.
Safety notes
Tested in people. How many took part, for how long, and who they were still matter.
- You have trouble breathing or wheezing, or your face, lips, tongue or throat swell.
- You get hives away from the injection site, or feel severely dizzy or faint.
For these signs, call 911 or your local emergency number.
- Get skin checks, and watch moles for changes in shape, border, color or size, or for itching or bleeding. If you see a change, stop and see a dermatologist. Industry perspective
- Redness spreads, or heat, swelling or pain keeps growing where you injected.
- A lump keeps growing or does not go away, or you see pus or red streaks.
- You have a fever or chills, or feel sick all over.
- Melanoma, skin cancer, or many or changing moles. It darkens moles too. The cited commentary recommends skin checks before and during use.
- Skip it if you have a melanoma history. You do not want to stimulate pigment cells if cancer could be present. Industry perspective
- A high number of atypical moles is a melanoma risk factor, so be cautious; the cited commentary says use MT1 rather than MT2 if you have a lot of moles. Industry perspective
- No data in pregnancy, so the cited commentary says stay away. Industry perspective
- Be conservative with sun exposure on photosensitizing drugs like certain antibiotics, diuretics, or retinoids. Industry perspective
- People with red hair, very fair skin, or heavy freckling may respond less and can see their freckles get darker. Industry perspective
- It doesn't make you immune to UV. Most people, especially if pale, should still use some sunscreen. Industry perspective
- The strong safety registries cover the implant the approved in 2019 for EP patients. They do not cover people injecting MT1 for many years.
Questions to bring to your doctor
Only for the conditions this page cautions about. Bring this page with you.
- Should I avoid Melanotan-1 with my moles or skin cancer history? If not, when and how often should my skin and moles be checked?
Shows 6 practitioner ranges by skin type and goal, plus figures people report.
Commonly researched ranges, and how they were measured.
Commonly researched range for Melanotan-1
250 mcg
twice weekly · Injection
Practitioner
All 6 ranges in our record
Each one is labeled with where it comes from. They are different ways of using Melanotan-1, not steps to follow in order.
Standard, base photoprotection (tier one)
Practitioner- Amount per dose
- 250 mcg
- How often
- Twice weekly
- Typical schedule
- Not stated
- Route
- Injection
Cosmetic pigmentation (tier two)
Practitioner- Amount per dose
- 500 to 1,000 mcg
- How often
- Two to three times weekly
- Typical schedule
- 4-6 weeks
- Route
- Injection
Fair skin (Fitzpatrick 1-2) escalation protocol
Practitioner- Amount per dose
- 250 to 500 mcg
- How often
- Starts twice weekly, escalates to two-to-three times weekly, then maintenance once or twice weekly
- Typical schedule
- Escalate over 2 weeks, hold 4-6 weeks, then maintain
- Route
- Injection
Olive skin (Fitzpatrick 3-4) escalation protocol
Practitioner- Amount per dose
- 500 to 1,000 mcg
- How often
- Starts twice weekly, escalates to two-to-three times weekly, then maintenance once or twice weekly
- Typical schedule
- 4-6 weeks then maintain
- Route
- Injection
Vitiligo / narrowband UVB protocol
Practitioner- Amount per dose
- 500 mcg
- How often
- Three times weekly
- Typical schedule
- Starting about 1 month after phototherapy begins, continued for 4 months
- Route
- Injection
Transition dose (after an MT2 loading phase)
Practitioner- Amount per dose
- 250 to 500 mcg
- How often
- Twice weekly during overlap with MT2, then once or twice weekly maintenance
- Typical schedule
- Not stated
- Route
- Injection
From our visual summary
Community reports
Community reports, from the Learn Peptides visual summary. These lines sit beside the ranges above and are not merged with them.
- Common dosing
- 250 to 1,000 mcg per day
- Often used for 1 to 4 weeks
- Maintenance schedules vary (e.g., 1 to 3 times per week)
- Duration
- Initial phase: 1 to 4 weeks
- Ongoing/maintenance: varies by goal
- Results can persist beyond use
There is no standard dose. Track how you respond, and change one thing at a time.
These ranges were last reviewed Sep 2026.
Check your syringe math with your own numbers.
It is the same compound as afamelanotide and acts only on the skin’s pigment receptor.
Melanotan-1 is the same compound as afamelanotide, sold under the brand name Scenesse (-approved, though for a rare light-sensitivity disease, not for tanning). It only turns on the skin's pigment , which is why it tends to produce an even tan with fewer side effects than Melanotan-2. It's given as an injection.
A full page compares Melanotan-1 and Melanotan-2: reports, research and cautions.
Both come up in discussions about tanning and pigmentation. They are different compounds, so it helps to compare the reported experiences, research and important cautions.
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