Melanotan I
FDA APPROVED
Fda Approved
Skin
Melanotan I
7
Amino acids
Molecular weight
Peptide
Type
Melanotan I (afamelanotide) is a synthetic 13-amino acid analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) that activates the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) to stimulate eumelanin production in the skin. FDA-approved under the brand name Scenesse, it is indicated to increase pain-free light exposure in adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). It is also under investigation for vitiligo, solar urticaria, and polymorphic light eruption.
Top researched benefits
Overview of Melanotan I
Afamelanotide binds selectively to the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) on melanocytes, activating adenylate cyclase and elevating intracellular cAMP, which activates protein kinase A (PKA) and CREB-mediated transcription of melanogenic enzymes including tyrosinase, resulting in increased eumelanin synthesis and photoprotective skin pigmentation independent of UV exposure.
skin health
- Stimulates melanin for deeper, longer-lasting tans with reduced UV requirements
- Increased melanin density provides natural UV protection and reduces sunburn
- Promotes uniform melanin distribution minimizing patchy tanning
medical applications
- FDA-approved indication for SCENESSE implant
Typical Dose
16mg subcutaneous implant per dose
Frequency
once every 2 months
Cycle Duration
one 6-month treatment course; implant placed every 2 months within the course
Storage
Lyophilized powder: store below -18°C, stable at room temperature for up to 3 weeks. Reconstituted solution: store at 2–8°C for up to 7 days or below -18°C for long-term; avoid freeze-thaw cycles.
Chemical Makeup
Key benefits
Significantly increases pain-free light exposure in EPP patients by stimulating photoprotective eumelanin synthesis prior to sun exposure
Reduces severity and frequency of phototoxic reactions in erythropoietic protoporphyria, as demonstrated in Phase III clinical trials
Induces UV-independent skin tanning through MC1R activation, bypassing UV-induced DNA damage associated with conventional tanning
Enhances endogenous DNA repair processes in skin cells, reducing oxidative stress from UV-induced photodamage
Community interest
This peptide is still gaining traction in the community.
MC1R Agonist | Photoprotection & Skin Pigmentation
This overview is informational and based on aggregated descriptions from studies and user reports.
Was it helpful?YesNoMelanotan I Molecular Information
View the scientifc details of Melanotan I.
7
Amino Acids
Melanotan I
?
?
Position 1
Asp
Asp
Position 2
His
His
Position 3
Phe
Phe
Position 4
Arg
Arg
Position 5
Trp
Trp
Position 6
Lys
Lys
Position 7
Molecular Weight
1646.85DaChain Length
7Amino AcidsType
PeptideMelanotan I Protocols
Melanotan I (afamelanotide) is delivered subcutaneously in two distinct contexts that must not be conflated. In research settings, lyophilized powder is reconstituted and self-injected daily into abdominal fat to stimulate melanogenesis — this route is unregulated, requires multiple daily doses due to a ~1.5-hour half-life, and carries risks including diffuse hyperpigmentation and darkening of existing nevi. The FDA-approved Scenesse implant is a bioresorbable rod inserted subcutaneously near the hip by a physician every 2 months (16 mg per implant); it is approved solely for prevention of phototoxicity in adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria and has a distinct risk profile, access pathway, and monitoring requirement compared to research-grade subcutaneous injection.
| Goal | Dosage | Frequency | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Achieve initial baseline skin pigmentation through daily subcutaneous dosing over 10 days | 1 | 1 day range | SubQ abdomen |
| Sustain existing pigmentation with reduced dosing frequency after loading is complete | 2 | 1 week range | SubQ abdomen |
| Prevent phototoxic reactions in adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria using FDA-approved Scenesse implant | 16 | 2 month range | SubQ implant near hip (physician-administered) |
| Stimulate repigmentation of depigmented skin lesions in combination with narrowband UVB phototherapy | 16 | 2 month range | SubQ implant near hip (physician-administered) |
| Reduce phototoxic sensitivity in adults with solar urticaria or polymorphous light eruption | 16 | 2 month range | SubQ implant near hip (physician-administered) |
| Provide melanogenic photoprotection in organ transplant recipients at elevated skin cancer risk from UV exposure | 16 | 2 month range | SubQ implant near hip (physician-administered) |
Reconstitution Instructions
Materials needed:
Steps to reconstitute
- Remove the Melanotan I vial from refrigerator and allow it to reach room temperature for 10–15 minutes before reconstitution.
- Draw 2 mL of bacteriostatic water into an insulin syringe.
- Clean the rubber stopper of the Melanotan I vial with an alcohol swab and allow to dry.
- Insert the needle into the vial and slowly inject the bacteriostatic water down the inside wall of the vial — never directly onto the powder.
- Do not shake the vial. Gently roll it between your palms until the powder is fully dissolved.
- The reconstituted solution (2 mL per 10 mg vial = 5 mg/mL) should appear clear and colorless; discard if cloudy or particulate matter is visible.
- Store the reconstituted vial refrigerated at 2–8°C and use within 4 weeks; protect from light.
- Clean the injection site (lower abdomen, at least 2 inches from the navel) with an alcohol swab and allow to dry.
- Pinch a fold of subcutaneous fat and insert the insulin syringe at a 45-degree angle.
- Draw the plunger back slightly to confirm no blood return, then inject slowly and withdraw the needle.
- Apply gentle pressure with a clean swab after withdrawal; do not rub the site.
Melanotan I Cycle
The Melanotan I Cycle section explains how long a typical cycle lasts and what to expect during each phase. Over time, your body can become less responsive with continuous use.
Taking breaks between cycles may help maintain effectiveness and support better overall results.
- Day 1-3
- Possible mild nausea, facial flushing, reduced appetite
- Day 3-7
- Initial skin darkening, increased mole/freckle pigmentation
- Week 1-2
- Noticeable tanning with minimal UV exposure
- Week 2-4
- Peak effects, maintained pigmentation with reduced frequency
Dosing tools
Melanotan I Peptide Dosage Calculator
Calculate peptide doses with our visual syringe guide.
mg
Enter the total amount of peptide in the vial in milligrams (as stated on the label).
The dose you want to inject per administration, in mcg or mg.
1,000 mcg = 1 mg
1 mL
2 mL
3 mL
5 mL
Custom
Volume of bacteriostatic water you add to reconstitute the powder. Use BAC water for preservation.
Injection Results
Based on your vial and dilution inputs.
Melanotan I
SINGLE COMPOUNDVolume per injection
0.05
mL
Concentration
10.00
mg/mL
Doses per vial
20
doses
Total injections per vial
20 injections
How it works
Based on a 10 mg Melanotan I vial diluted with 1 mL of bacteriostatic water, each 500 mcg injection equals 0.05 mL.
1mL / 100 units
5 units
0.050 mL
Reference Guide
Dosing Cycle
- Peptide
- Melanotan I
- Dosing
- 16mg subcutaneous implant per dose
- Dosing Frequency
- once every 2 months
- Cycle Duration
- one 6-month treatment course; implant placed every 2 months within the course
- Storage
- Lyophilized powder: store below -18°C, stable at room temperature for up to 3 weeks. Reconstituted solution: store at 2–8°C for up to 7 days or below -18°C for long-term; avoid freeze-thaw cycles.
Note: Triple agonist; microdose for fewer side effects
Reconstitution Tips
- Use bacteriostatic water (BAC) — contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol for preservation
- Inject water slowly — aim down the vial wall, not directly onto powder
- Never shake — gently swirl or roll the vial until dissolved
- Store properly — refrigerate at 2-8°C after reconstitution
- Use within 28 days — most reconstituted peptides remain stable for about 4 weeks
- Keep sterile — always clean vial tops with alcohol before drawing
Peptide Interactions
Research suggestions of Melanotan I interactions with other common peptides and substances.
Side effects
Avoid: Do not take Melanotan I with Melanotan II.
Contraindications
Stop signs
Severe nausea/vomiting lasting >24 hours
Rapid concerning mole/freckle changes
Injection site infection signs
Unusual skin reactions
Allergic reaction symptoms
Bad signs
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Frequently asked questions
What is a peptide dosage calculator?
A peptide dosage calculator is a free tool that converts your vial size, bacteriostatic water volume, and target dose into an exact syringe draw volume. Instead of doing the reconstitution math by hand, you enter three inputs and instantly get the concentration of your solution and how many milliliters or syringeunits to draw. This calculator works for single peptide compounds and multi-peptide blends.
How do I calculate peptide dosage from a vial?
To calculate your peptide dose, divide the total peptide content of your vial in micrograms by the volume of bacteriostatic water you added in milliliters. This gives you your solution concentration in mcg/mL. Then divide your target dose by that concentration to get your draw volume. For example, a 5mg (5,000 mcg) vial reconstituted with 2mL of BAC water gives a concentration of 2,500 mcg/mL. A 250 mcg dose would require drawing 0.1mL. This calculator automates all of those steps instantly.
How much Bacteriostatic water should I add to a peptide vial?
Most people add 2mL to 3mL of bacteriostatic water per vial, but the right amount depends on the dose you want to draw and the syringe size you are using. Adding 1mL to a 5mg vial gives you a concentration of 5,000 mcg/mL, making each dose very small in volume. Adding 2mL gives you 2,500 mcg/mL, which is easier to measure on a standard insulin syringe. A general guideline is to choose a volume that puts your typical dose somewhere between 10 and 30 units on a U-100 syringe. Use the calculator above to test different water volumes and find what works for your dose.
How are peptides different from proteins?
Both are made of amino acids, but peptides are much smaller than proteins. Because of their tiny size, peptides can act like tiny messengers in the body, sending specific signals to your cells to tell them exactly what to do.
Melanotan IResearch References
Melanotan I is a fda approved compound
Melanotan I
Melanotan I is a fda approved compound
MT-I Photoprotection Study
Demonstrated significant photoprotection effects
n.d.
Melanocortin Receptor Binding Study
Characterized MC1R selectivity
n.d.
Pharmacokinetics Injectable MT-I
Established half-life and bioavailability parameters
n.d.
Calculate peptide dosages
Learning how to calculate a peptide dose? Use our beginner-friendly peptide dosage, blend, and accumulation calculators. Enter vial size, reconstitution volume, and target dose to get exact draw volumes instantly. No guesswork, just clear guidance that helps prevent common mistakes.
