The FDA-approved cousin of MT-2 — more selective for MC1R, meaning cleaner tanning effect with fewer libido / nausea side effects. Approved as Scenesse for EPP; used off-label for sun sensitivity and tanning.
Melanotan I (MT-1), marketed as afamelanotide under the brand name Scenesse, is a synthetic analog of α-MSH with much higher selectivity for the MC1R (melanocortin-1 receptor) compared to its cousin Melanotan II. MC1R is the primary pigmentation receptor, so MT-1 delivers the tanning effect without MT-2’s strong MC3R/MC4R-driven side effects (nausea, libido, flushing, mole darkening).
Scenesse is FDA approved (2019) for adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) — a rare genetic condition causing severe sun sensitivity. Delivered as a 16 mg implantable controlled-release device. Off-label use for cosmetic tanning is much more common in Europe and Australia than the US.
FDA approved as Scenesse for EPP. Prescription only for the approved indication. Off-label cosmetic use and research-chem sourcing exist. Not WADA prohibited.
Activates melanocyte MC1R to produce eumelanin (brown/black pigment). Much less activity at MC3R/MC4R than MT-2 — hence fewer central (nausea, libido, appetite) and peripheral (flushing) effects.
Increased eumelanin in skin absorbs UV and reduces damage — the mechanism behind EPP symptom relief and, secondarily, the cosmetic tan.
The pharmaceutical form is a 16 mg SubQ implant (inserted under the skin of the hip) releasing drug over ~2 months. Off-label users inject daily SubQ instead.
| Benefit | Evidence |
|---|---|
| EPP sun tolerance | FDA-approved indication; Phase 3 data: dramatically increased pain-free sun exposure |
| Cosmetic tanning | Reliable darkening with much less side-effect burden than MT-2 |
| Vitiligo | Combined with narrow-band UVB: improved repigmentation in small studies |
| Solar urticaria | Small case series reporting benefit |
Build your protocol, log every dose, monitor your body's response, and get reminders so you never miss a dose.
Start Tracking FreeDose and 60-day interval reflect the approved Scenesse label (EMA/FDA prescribing information); confirm against current labeling with your provider rather than relying on community summaries.
Unregulated & off-label. PMIDs 28266027 and 20545686 explicitly note that dose, preparation, and administration of non-pharmaceutical melanotans are not established, and the MHRA has flagged public-health risks from their use. The dose ranges below are community-circulated conventions, not validated protocols from peer-reviewed literature. Safety outside the approved Scenesse indication has not been established.
Community reports suggest MT-1 is easier to tolerate than MT-2 (less nausea, less CNS activity), but no peer-reviewed head-to-head tolerability comparison exists — treat this as anecdotal. UV exposure is still required to trigger pigmentation.
For research-peptide MT-1 powder (not for Scenesse implants, which are pre-prepared):
10 mg vial + 2 mL BAC water = 5 mg/mL = 5000 mcg/mL
| Dose | Volume | Syringe Units |
|---|---|---|
| 250 mcg | 0.05 mL | 5 units |
| 500 mcg | 0.10 mL | 10 units |
Pre-filled with a typical Melanotan I (Afamelanotide) setup. Edit any field — the draw updates live.
Insulin syringe — 100 units = 1 mL
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Much cleaner side-effect profile than MT-2 due to selective MC1R binding.
Off-label research-chem MT-1 (not Scenesse) carries real biosafety risk: the UK MHRA and published reviews (PMID 20545686) have flagged blood-borne virus transmission from needle sharing and product impurity as documented hazards of unregulated melanotans. Always use sterile single-use needles, never share equipment, and source from suppliers that publish certificates of analysis.
Melanotan I (Afamelanotide) is a research peptide not approved by the FDA for human use. It is sold only as a research chemical, and StackTrax does not endorse or facilitate personal use.
Quality varies enormously among research-chemical suppliers. At minimum, look for:
StackTrax’s preferred partner NextGen Peptides does not currently carry Melanotan I (Afamelanotide)in their catalog, which is why you don’t see a direct purchase link here. Other major research-chemical suppliers carry it; we don’t specifically recommend one for this compound.
Build your protocol, log every dose, monitor your body's response, and get reminders so you never miss a dose.
Start Tracking FreeMelanotan I (MT-1), marketed as afamelanotide under the brand name Scenesse, is a synthetic analog of alpha-MSH with much higher selectivity for MC1R (the primary pigmentation receptor) compared to its cousin Melanotan II. The MC1R selectivity delivers the tanning effect without MT-2's strong MC3R/MC4R-driven side effects like nausea, libido changes, flushing, and pronounced mole darkening.
MT-1 is much more selective for MC1R, while MT-2 hits MC1R, MC3R, and MC4R broadly. The practical result is that MT-1 still produces reliable darkening but with a much cleaner side-effect profile than MT-2: less nausea, less central activity (libido, appetite), less flushing, and less pronounced mole darkening (though some still occurs). Community reports describe MT-1 as easier to tolerate, but no peer-reviewed head-to-head tolerability comparison exists, so treat that comparison as anecdotal.
Yes, as a pharmaceutical. Scenesse (afamelanotide) was FDA approved in 2019 for adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), a rare genetic condition causing severe sun sensitivity. It is delivered as a 16 mg controlled-release SubQ implant inserted by a provider, dosed every 2 months during high-sun season. Scenesse is prescription-only for the approved indication. Off-label cosmetic tanning use and research-chemical sourcing of MT-1 powder are separate categories and are not FDA approved. MT-1 is not WADA prohibited.
Community-circulated convention for research-peptide MT-1 is 250 to 500 mcg daily SubQ, with a 2 to 4 week loading phase combined with UV exposure to induce pigmentation, then 250 to 500 mcg 2 to 3 times per week as maintenance. PMIDs 28266027 and 20545686 explicitly note that dose, preparation, and administration of non-pharmaceutical melanotans are not established, and the MHRA has flagged public-health risks from their use. UV exposure is still required to trigger pigmentation; MT-1 does not replace sunscreen.
Common effects are injection site reactions, mild nausea (less than MT-2), darkening of existing moles and freckles (less pronounced than MT-2 but still present), and headache. The bigger risks are around unregulated product: the UK MHRA and published reviews (PMID 20545686) have flagged blood-borne virus transmission from needle sharing and product impurity as documented hazards of unregulated melanotans. Contraindicated with history of melanoma or any skin cancer, atypical mole syndrome, hepatic impairment, and pregnancy or breastfeeding. Anyone with many moles should monitor annually with a dermatologist, and any new or changing mole warrants immediate evaluation.
Beyond the FDA-approved EPP indication and off-label cosmetic tanning, MT-1 has been studied as an adjunct to narrow-band UVB for vitiligo (small studies showed improved repigmentation) and in solar urticaria (small case series reporting benefit). Phase 3 data for EPP showed dramatically increased pain-free sun exposure.
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StackTrax guides cover peptides and compounds that are not FDA-approved for the uses discussed. The dosing, reconstitution, and safety information is compiled from published research and community protocols for educational purposes only.
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