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Melanotan-1 (Afamelanotide)

Melanotan-1 is the same peptide as afamelanotide. As a 16 mg slow-release implant (Scenesse) it is approved for adults with EPP, a light-sensitivity condition. Injections for tanning are not approved.

Implant approved in the US (2019) and EU (2014) - Scenesse, only for adults with EPPTanning injections are not approved; the implant must be given by a trained health professional
OverviewDosingMixingResearchCommunitySafetyFAQSources

Melanotan-1 (Afamelanotide) quick reference

TypeAlpha-MSH analog (afamelanotide); MC1 agonist
Studied forTanning, EPP light tolerance, vitiligo
EvidenceApproved as a 16 mg implant (EPP)
RouteImplant (approved); injection (unapproved)
Half-lifeAbout 15 h (implant, apparent)

What is Melanotan-1 (Afamelanotide)?

Same peptide as afamelanotide; darkens skin through MC1 receptors.

Approved only as the 16 mg Scenesse implant for EPP.

Cosmetic injections are not approved and not the same product.

How Melanotan-1 (Afamelanotide) works

MC1 receptor

Melanocytes make more dark pigment.

No sun needed

Skin darkened with sunscreen on in a 1991 trial.

More stable than natural MSH

Built to last longer in the body.

Implant releases slowly

Apparent half-life about 15 h from the implant.

What Melanotan-1 (Afamelanotide) is studied for

PeopleSkin tanning

10 injections over 12 days darkened skin in 28 men.

PeopleEPP light tolerance

Pain-free sun time: 64.1 h vs 40.5 h on placebo (US trial).

PeopleVitiligo

With NB-UVB, repigmentation 48.6% vs 33.3% (55 people).

PeopleImplant safety

Implant-site reactions in 21% vs 10% on placebo.

Melanotan-1 (Afamelanotide) dosing protocol

Product or studyAmount and schedule
Home injection dose for tanningNot established
Scenesse implant, US labelOne 16 mg implant under the skin, every 2 months
Scenesse implant, EU labelOne implant every 2 months; 3 a year advised, max 4
1991 tanning trial (28 men)10 injections over 12 days; per-injection amount not in the abstract

Sources: Scenesse US prescribing information (DailyMed), EMA Scenesse page, Levine 1991 JAMA (PMID 1658407). The implant is a slow-release depot and is not comparable to small daily injections.

SCENESSE LABEL (US)16 mg implant every 2 monthsLabel
EU LABELOne implant every 2 months; max 4 a yearLabel
VITILIGO TRIAL16 mg implant monthly for 4 monthsTrial
1991 TAN TRIAL10 injections over 12 daysTrial
COMMUNITY LOADING0.25-0.5 mg daily for 10-14 daysCommunity
COMMUNITY UPKEEPAbout 250 mcg, 1-2 times weeklyCommunity

Label and trial amounts come from the sources below. Community amounts are what people report; they have not been tested.

Mixing

Vial10 mg
+
BAC water2 mL
=
Strength5 mg per mL

Example for unapproved vials. Scenesse is a ready-made implant.

Open the peptide calculator

What the research found

Two placebo-controlled trials of the 16 mg implant in adults with EPP (about 93 and 74 people). Measured: pain-free time in direct sun:

64.1 hMedian pain-free sun hours, implant (US trial, 6 months)
40.5 hPlacebo (same trial)
6.0 hImplant (EU trial, 9 months)
0.75 hPlacebo (same trial)

Figures are from the US label (CUV039, CUV029). The 2015 NEJM paper (PMID 26132941) reports slightly different medians for its own analysis, for example 69.4 vs 40.8 hours in the US trial. These results are for EPP, not for tanning.

Melanotan-1 (Afamelanotide) community experience

What users report. Not tested in trials.

Positive reports

  • Gradual tan Slower than MT-2 but even and natural-looking.
  • Fewer extras Less appetite and sexual effect than MT-2.
  • Burns less Some say they burn less easily.

Negative & mixed

  • Dark moles Existing moles and freckles may darken.
  • Early nausea and flushing Mild and brief, soon after the shot.
  • More upkeep Slower tan means more frequent dosing.

Melanotan-1 (Afamelanotide) stacking

MT-1 vs MT-2

A swap, not a stack. MT-2 hits more receptors.

MT-1 + MT-2

Overlapping action with no shown benefit. Not studied together.

MT-1 + sun protection

Label calls for sun protection and skin checks twice a year.

Melanotan-1 (Afamelanotide) side effects & safety

Common

  • Implant-site reaction: 21% vs 10% on placebo.
  • Nausea: 19% vs 14%.
  • Skin darkening: 4% vs 0%.
  • Darker moles: 4% vs 2%.
  • Headache, flushing, fatigue (community).

Less common

  • Serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis (label).
  • Moles and freckles darken; skin checks twice yearly (label).
  • Four melanoma case reports with melanotan I or II use; link unproven.
  • Unapproved vials: identity and purity unchecked.

Precautions

  • Label bars use after a severe reaction to afamelanotide.
  • Full-body skin check twice a year (label).
  • Keep sun protection on; tan does not replace it.
  • Report any new or changing mole.
  • No pregnancy data (label).

Our verdict on Melanotan-1 (Afamelanotide)

The implant is approved and well studied for EPP. Tanning injections are unapproved, with mole changes the main worry.

Melanotan-1 (Afamelanotide) FAQ

Is melanotan 1 approved?

Only as the Scenesse implant, for adults with EPP.

Is MT-1 the same as afamelanotide?

Yes. The approved form is a slow-release implant.

Does it need sun to tan?

No. A 1991 trial darkened skin with sunscreen on.

Will it change my moles?

It can darken them. The label calls for skin checks twice a year.

Sources

  • SCENESSE (afamelanotide) US prescribing information, DailyMed setid 94f53286-11dd-7fbb-e053-2a95a90a7c48
  • EMA, Scenesse EPAR (authorised 22 December 2014, exceptional circumstances)
  • Langendonk JG et al. N Engl J Med 2015, PMID 26132941
  • Levine N et al. JAMA 1991, PMID 1658407
  • Lim HW et al. JAMA Dermatol 2015 (afamelanotide + NB-UVB, vitiligo), PMID 25230094
  • Risks of unregulated use of alpha-MSH analogues, Int J Dermatol 2017, PMID 28266027