Melanotan I
FDA APPROVED
Fda Approved
Skin
Melanotan I
7
Amino acids
Molecular weight
Peptide
Type
Synthetic analog of α-MSH that selectively targets MC1 receptors for melanin stimulation. FDA-approved as SCENESSE implant for erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). Research-grade injectable form enables flexible dosing versus the implant version.
Top researched benefits
Overview of Melanotan I
Subcutaneous injection delivers peptide directly into systemic circulation. Selectively activates MC1R receptors to stimulate melanin production. Short half-life of approximately 30 minutes necessitates multiple daily dosing for sustained effect.
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
Loading: 0.25-0.5mg daily; Maintenance: 0.25-0.5mg 2-3x weekly
Frequency
Loading phase: 1-2x daily for 1-2 weeks, then maintenance 2-3x weekly
Cycle Duration
2-4 week loading phase, then ongoing maintenance as needed
Storage
Refrigerate reconstituted solution at 2-8°C, use within 4 weeks
Chemical Makeup
Key benefits
Precise dosing control with rapid tanning onset
Flexible home administration unlike implant version
Visible tanning within 1-2 weeks with UV exposure
Enhanced photoprotection through increased melanin
More selective for MC1R than Melanotan II
Community interest
This peptide is still gaining traction in the community.
Melanocortin Receptor Agonist
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
1024.2DaChain Length
7Amino AcidsType
PeptideMelanotan I Protocols
Subcutaneous injection with rotation between abdomen, thigh, and upper arm.
| Goal | Dosage | Frequency | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loading phase | 0.25 | 1 week range | Subcutaneous |
| Maintenance | 0.25 | 2 week range | Subcutaneous |
Reconstitution Instructions
Materials needed:
Steps to reconstitute
- Clean vial top with alcohol pad
- Add 2mL bacteriostatic water for 5mg/mL concentration
- Gently swirl - do not shake
- Solution should be clear and colorless
- Store refrigerated for up to 4 weeks
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
- Loading: 0.25-0.5mg daily; Maintenance: 0.25-0.5mg 2-3x weekly
- Dosing Frequency
- Loading phase: 1-2x daily for 1-2 weeks, then maintenance 2-3x weekly
- Cycle Duration
- 2-4 week loading phase, then ongoing maintenance as needed
- Storage
- Refrigerate reconstituted solution at 2-8°C, use within 4 weeks
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.